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THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 



THE 



MAID OF ORLEANS 



AN HISTORICAL TRAGEDY 



GEORGE H. CALVERT 



PRINTED FOR PRIVA TE USE 



CAMBRIDGE 

IJrinteb at tl)c Kioersi^c JjJrcas 

^873 



f?D 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 187-?, by 

George H, Calvert, 
in the Office of tlie Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE : 

STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY 

H. O. HOUGHTON AND COMl'.\NV. 



PERSONS REPRESENTED. 



Charles VII., King of France. 

The Maid of Orleans. 

Duke of Alencon, i 

Duke of Vendome, ( ^^V^ Dtckes. 

Duchess of Alencon, and Daughter. 

Countess of Ligny, and Daughter. 

Count Dunois, Bastard of Orleans. ' 

Count of Armagnac, 

Count Gaucourt, \ r- / ^ j 

> r rent a Lommandi 

La Hire, 

Saintrailles, 

Baudricourt, 

Sir Bertrand de Pousengis. 

Royal Duke of Bedford, English Viceroy in France, 

Lord Talbot, 

Lord Suffolk, 

Sir William Blunt, ^ English Commanders, 

Sir Herbert Hampton, 

Sir Henry Clifford, 

Cardinal Winchester. 

Bishop of Beauvais. 

Assessors., 

Oyskleur. 

Brothers Isambart and Martin. 

Father, Mother, Uncle, Brother, of the Maid. 

Two Gentlemen. 

Priests, Knights^ Sergeants, Heralds, Citizens, Soldiers. 

Scene : France in the Fifteenth Ccnfnry. 



THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 



ACT I. 

SCENE I. 

On the edge of the forest of Domremy, near a fountain. 

THE MAID (o?z ker knees). 
Divine ye must be, or ye would not speak 
Through loved seraphic figures clothed in light : 
Beings so beautiful come straight from heaven. 
The many years I've heard ye, yet, each hearing 
Thrills me with deeper awe. My life is changed. 
By your celestial tune I have been won 
Afar from this to live in the great thoughts 
You have awakened^ and from year to year 
So nursed, theyVe filled me with a mighty future. 
Joan, O Joan ! can it be ? — Ha ! there they are ! 

VOICE (from above). 

foan, chosen wast thou for thy aptness. Blest 



8 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act I. 

Above all maidens is thy peerless portion — 
To be the savior of thy country, wreckt 
But for thy pilotage. The time is come. 
Go to Sir Baudricourt at Vaucouleurs. 
He to the King will send thee, and the King 
Cohorts will marshal under thee, the siege 
To raise of Orleans. Thence thou'lt bring the King 
To Rheims, there to be crowned : and France is saved. 
\The Maid falls prostrate on the ground. 

Enter the Maid's Mother, not perceiving Joan. 

MOTHER. 

Poor Joan ! they are seeking her to drive her into 
rharriage. Such matches should not be. Mismatches 
we have too many, even where the will goes with them. 
Against the will, they're of the Devil. But Joan will 
not yield ; and then her father storms, and we all bend 
before his rage, excepting Joan. In common things 
you'd think she had no will, docile as is my wheel unto 
my hand. A strange dear child it is : wdiere can she 
be? 

Enter Joan's Father, with her lover aiid the Curate. 



Where is Joan ? 



Scene I.] THE MAID OF ORLEAXS, 9 

MOTHER. 

Ha ! there she is on the ground. Joan ! Joan ! 

[ The Maid raises herself on her knees. 
My dear child! I feared thou had'st been struck by 
lightning. 

MAID. 

Mother, the sky is clear of clouds* A light, 
Brighter than lightning, streamed but now before me. 

FATHER [coming forward). 
Again these foolish visions. Joan, thou wast always 
dutiful : now thou troublest thy father's peace. How 
is it thou art suddenly so dogged ? Obey thy parents : 
we know best what is for thy good : we wish thee well 
married ; and here is Oliver, worthy of thee, and has 
some claim on thee. 

MAID (rising). 

Dares he to say he has a claim on me ? 

OLIVER [coming forward). 

Is not my love a claim, a love as strong 

As ever warmed the breast of man for woman ? 



I told thee 'twas in vain : it could not be. 



lO THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act I. 



4 



FATHER. 

• I say, it shall be. What are we come to ? Shall 
green, unfurnished girls cry yea or nay against their 
parents' plans ? Make thee ready to be wedded to 

Oliver. 

r 

MAID. 

Father, it cannot be : it must not be. 

FATHER. 

Darest thou disobey thy father's will ? 

MAir>. 

I have two fathers : which shall I obey ? 
My earthly or my Heavenly Father's will ? 
My Heavenly P'atber — 

CURATE. 

Joan, that will not stead the 
Thy Heavenly Father speaks to thee through me. 

MAID, 

When thou'rt not by, can He not come to me ? 
Is his will reined by thee, or thine by Him ? 

CURATE. 

How dost thou know if He does speak to thee ? 



Scene L] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 1 1 

MAID. 

By twice the craft I know when thou dost speak ; 

By outward, and by inward finer sense. 

The world, is't not by unseen power governed ? 

Power is nowhere but in the invisible. 

All else is only plastic instrument 

FATHER, 

Joan, thou hast lost thy wits. What knovv^'st thou of 
these high things? A senseless tingling in thy ears 
thou tak*st for angel voices. 

CURATE. 

Leave her to me. I'll find a happy hour 
To exorcise the Devil who now sits 
Master of spell-bound fancy in her brain. 

FATHER. 

Come, Oliver, She'll recover under the Curate's doc- 
toring : you'll have her better-minded in a week. 

[Exeunt P^ather, Curate, and Oliver. 

MOTHER, 

Joan, O Joan, my child, my dearest child, wherefor 
Art thou so rooted in thy willfulness t 



12 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act I, 

MAID. 

Mother, I cannot otherwise. The things 

I have been used to, grow unwonted to me. 

My life is other than it was : 'tis in 

New thoughts, great thoughts, deeds greater, that so fill 

So swell my being, myself I know no more. 

A higher self I am, the servitor 

Of angels. 

MOTHER. 

O my child, how canst thou know ? 
The Curate says, they are temptations, speech 
Feigned by the Devil, these thy saintly voices. 



■ Mother, how can he know ? He has not heard them. 
Heard them have I ; the heads, woven of light, 
Have seen, whence issue their severe commands. 
Limits, God-planted, are there to disguise. 
Uplifting thoughts, the Devil never prompts, 
Nor whets th' exalted soul to sacrifice. 
He moves us love ourselves, our lustful wants ; 
He tells where hidden treasure may be dug, 
Or flatters us with sensual heritage. 
Our souls, dear mother, are not of the Devil : 
Mine meets these .voices with an answering glow, 
Lifts it to bend the self to high obedience. 



Scene L] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 1 3 

Within the best and deepest of my soul 

I feel, they, come from God, are tuned to good. 

MOTHER. 

Thy looks, thy words, proclaim thee child no more : 
Thou'rt shot up to ripe woman in a day. 



Enter the Maid's Uncle. 



UNCLE. 

^Vhat is't I hear? They'd^ wed thee 'gainst thy will? 



Jear uncle, that they must not, cannot do. 
But I'm rejoiced you're come. To Vaucouleurs 
must at once. 

UNCLE. 

Again thou'st heard them speak ? 

MAID. 

Vithin an hour ; and hence I go to-day. 
\nd thou'll go with me ? 

UNCLE. 

That I will, dear Joan, 
rhy voices speak to me through thee. In them 
" trust, because I've faith in thee. 



14 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, ' [Act I. 

MOTHER. 

Brother, 
The Curate says they're from the Devil. 



Sister, 
Curates are not infallible. The promptings 
Of a sound heart, pure, innocent like hers, 
AVith heavenly will are more in unison. 
Than the hard hackneyed say of thousand curates. 
Most priestly words are too mechanical, 
Too emptied of the freer life, that they 
Should carry messages from the upper realms. 
Come, Joan ; 'tis two leagues hence to Little Bury, 

And I would be at home ere set of sun. ; 

1 

MAID. I 

Mother, O mother ! I must leave thee ; yea, i 

I must ; must quit my home, my dear, dear home. 

These trees, this fountain, and my church, — the church 

Which is another daily home to me, — 

My flocks and meadows, and my happy comrades, — 

All, all I leave forever. Ha! Forever.? — 

My brain seems trampled on by marching legions : 

Plainly as ere I heard thy tender voice, 

I hear the blows and cries of battling hosts : 



r 



Scene Ih] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 1 5 

Now shouts of victory j now silent joy ; 

Now shadows come : they pass away : again 

The clash of arms : now, what a jubilee. 

More shadows — more, and deeper — black, how black ! 

They fold me in ! There, there, they break again. 

O what a splendor ! what a glory 1 Where, 

Where am I ? — Mother ! come, mother ! 

[Exeunt the Maid, with an arm round her Mother's neck. 



SCENE 11, 

Vaucouleurs. Head-quartets of the Military Com- 
mander^ Sir Baudricourt. 

Sir Baudricourt, two officers^ and Sir Bertrand de Pous- 
ENGis, a frUnd of SiR B. 

SIR BERTRAND. 

Captain, I fear to ask of news from Orleans. 

SIR BAUDRICOURT. . 

Deep hearts have they, those manful Orleanese, 
That from them they can still dip drops of hope. 
Beleaguered, mined, bombarded, starved, and stormed, 
They yield them not, but supplicate for aid, 
Which never comes. 



1 6 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act I. 

SIR BERTRAND. 

Whence can it come ? The King 

Has neither men nor means ; his chiefs rebellious, 

Allies faithless ; and as his enemies 

Grow hot, his friend of Burgundy grows cool. 

SIR BAUDRICOURT. 

Shrewd Burgundy goes ever with the strongest ; 
And that might we be had our King a will. 
A thoughtful, earnest will creates its means ; 
Kindles the cold, quickens the slow, spurs all. 
Armed men start from the earth at hearted cry ; 
Obedience follows will with votive smiles, 
And allies troop to its side with eager trust. 
But indolence, though regal, hath no will ; 
And from its rotting couch of luxury 
Looseness crawls forth upon the hapless land, 
Where nothing holds together, naught is tight 
And practicable ; and the nation sways 
From side to side, like to a drunken man. 
Whose limbs cannot obey a. staggering mind. 

SIR BERTRAND. 

The people hereabout have nursed a rumor, 
Which was but vague and unregarded thin. 
Till wide despair hath fed it into plumpness : 



Scene II.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 1 7 

A prophecy of Merlin, — that should spring 
From rich Lorraine a maid to save dear France. 



SIR BAUDRICOURT. 

We must be near to drowning when we catch 
At mouldy straws. 

SIR BERTRAND. 

Good friend, this air we breathe 
Is the same air that ancient Merlin breathed. 
Fed by the earth and sun, same earth and sun 
That feed it now for us. Upon this air 
Not bodies only but our souls are kept, 
Inbreathing aye a subtler, wiser life 
Than that which arms our eye to conquer space. 
Hereby so is our being interfused 
With the divine, that from the Source of all 
Monitions come, that make some natures prescient. 

Enter an ATTENDANT. 
ATTENDANT. 

Here i» a peasant, sir, who begs to see you. 

SIR BAUDRICOURT. 

Admit him. 

2 



1 8 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act I. 

Enter the Maid's Uncle. 
What's your want ? 

UNCLE. 

Sir Baudricourt, 
My niece, a peasant girl from Domremy, 
x^ pious, gentle child, hath, sir, a message 
She would herself deliver to your ear. 

SIR BAUDRICOURT. 

Know you its purport, and from whom it is ? 



The girl, sir, talks and looks and bears herself 
Like one inspired. For several years, she says. 
She has heard voices, seen at times the forms 
Of th' angels whence they issued. Yesterday 
They told her she's to be her country's savior — 

SIR BAUDRICOURT. 

Sir Bertrand, here's old Merlin's Lorraine lady. ' 

SIR BERTRAND. 

Depend on't, this is something more than strange. 



Scene II.] TifE MAID OF ORLEANS, 1 9 

UNCLE. 

They ordered her to come at once to you ; 
They said that you would send her to the King, 
The King would give her men to raise the siege 
Of Orleans \ thence to Rheims, there to be crowned. 

SIR BERTRAND. 

What is the daily humor of her life ? 

UNCLE. 

A sheer exalted self-forgetfulness. 

So modest, all her doing is obedience, 

Now to her angel-voices, as before 

To father, mother, and the parish priest ; 

All ardent impulses so clean of self, 

Her hourly life seems but a supplement 

To other lives ; her office helpfulness. 

Pardon me, sir; from the dear child IVe caught 

Some of the glow of rapture. 

SIR BERTRAND. 

Is she here 
In Vaucouleurs ? 

UNCLE. 

She is. 'Tis not an hour 
I left her weeping, wringing of her hands, 



20 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, ' [Act I. 

Because, she says, to-day, this very noon, 
Xhe French are beaten in a fight near Orleans. 

SIR BERTRAND {^taking out his tablets). 
The first, is't not, Sir Robert ? 

SIR BAUDRICOURT. 

Aye, of April. 
Good man, take back your niece to Domremy. 
Hard work on bread and water is a cure. 
The surest she can have for her disease. 
Sometimes such cracks i^th' brain are through the back 
Most quickly mended. Flagellation's smart 
Works wonders. 

SIR BERTRAND. 

Come, bring me to this maid. 

[Exeunt Sir Bertrand and Uncle. 



I 



Scene III.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 2 1 

SCENE III. 

The Royal Residence at Chinon. 

The Count of Armagnac, La Hire. 

armagnac. 
Is't true that Talbot's with the curst besiegers ? 

LA hire. 

That it is true sharpens my daily pang 
For the besieged, the steadfast Orleanese. 

ARMAGNAC. 

La Hire, to you I speak as friend to friend : 

This King doth sorely try a proud allegiance : 

That mine will bear the strain I cannot say. 

Allegiance voucheth vigor to command. 

Who would swear fealty to impotence t 

Can vassal bend the knee to lifeless lord } 

France bristles with perverse hostilities, 

Rebellions, feuds, invasions, sieges fierce ; 

The whole land quakes with war's mad violations ; 

The whole, save him round whom, for whom, 'gainst 

whom 
This bloody evolution boils and flares ; 



22 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act I. 

And he lolls stagnant on a lazy couch. 

Did we not see it, who'd believe 'tis so ? 

Had one reported that but yesterday, 

On riding through the forest in a storm. 

He'd seen branch, bough and spray and leaf betossed 

Tumultuous by a sudden tempest's rage. 

All bending, shrieking, flying 'fore the wind, 

All save one oak, the tallest of the throng. 

And he stood motionless 'mid the loud whirl, 

No sign of writhing vigor in his limbs, — 

I should have wondered first, and then exclaimed, 

That oak is dead, and does usurp the room 

Which should tremble with living roots and trunk. 



Far Dieu, my noble earl of Armagnac, 

You utter not your feeling only, nor 

Just yours and mine. All of our nobles here 

Suffer as you do ; nay, nor gentleman 

Nor man upon this sorely smitten soil. 

Who feels a Frenchman throb within his breast, 

But shames him for the royal apathy, 

This heart-paralysis of France's power. 

Here comes Vendome, fresh from his Majesty. 

Well, Duke, what are our cheeks to blush for next ? 



i 



Scene III.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 23 

VENDOME. 

Mine blush no more : they pale with anger now. 

We're all the victims of imbecile fears. 

There are no Talbots, Salisburys, Bedfords, Henrys ; 

There is no starving Orleans close besieged. 

The King — and who should know if he does not — 

Talks cheerful by the hour arid names them not. 

Good God ! that our dear France should be so — 

Where is this martial damsel from Lorraine, 

The people whisper of so hopefully ? 

Naught but a woman can arouse this sluggard. 

Out of his weakness we may build a strength. 

LA HIRE. 

This rumor from Lorraine is in fulfillment 
Of ancient prophecies \ and prophecies 
Themselves oft speed their own accomplishment. 

VENDOME. 

With such a helmsman, naught but miracle 
Can save us from being quickly overborne 
By hateful flood of English conquerors. . 

\Exett7ti i\7'eraliy, 



24 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act I 

SCENE IV. . 

Vaucouleurs, 



Head-quarters of Sir Baiidricourt. 



Sir Baudricourt aud two officers. To them enter SiR Eer< 
TRAND DE POUSENGIS. 

SIR BERTRAND. 

Again I come, Sir Baudricourt, to pray, 
Admit this maid for one brief, interview. 

SIR BAUDRICOURT. 

What will it boot ? This is a case of faith. 
Of naught but faith. A sheer impertinence 
Is she to one who can't believe in her. 
It irks me, friend, to hear her even named ; 
The sight of her would anger me, extort 
Rude speech, belike, such as a gentleman 
Forbids his tongue when speaking to a woman. 

SIR BERTRAND. 

When first she came she was, to the best heads, 

An insolence, to most a disbelief 

Within a short two weeks she's won them all ; 



^^1 



r 



Scene ly.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 2$ 

Won them^ not by performing miracles, 

But by the wonder of her daily life, 

So simple, pure, and freshly serviceable, 

It cleanses thought to see and hear and know her. 

Enter the maid, suddenly. 

SIR BAUDRICOURT. 

What ho ! my sentinels ! 

MAID. 

Nor sentinels, 
Nor your strong bent can stay me. Keys I bear 
To unlock your closest orders. 

SIR BAUDRICOURT. 

• Officers, 

Do you the duty those false sentinels 
Have failed to do. 

[ The two officers approach to seize her. She waves them back ; 

they pause. 

By Heaven ! I'll break this charm. 



'Tis not a charm, Sir Baudricourt. . Wherefor 
To me hath fallen this signal part I know not. 



26 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act I. 

It saddens me more than it cheers. Obey 
I must what is above me. So, yourself. 
You speak and act from what to you doth seem 
Pure self-impulsion ; but there is behind 
That impulse what is its far primal source, 
A might unseen, which all your motions moves. 
Life, death, can you control them, you or 1 1 ^ 

And yet they are controlled. Y.our instruments 
• You choose : God, shall He not choose his ? By men 
The world seems ruled : men are his instruments. 
The best, the freest human instruments 
Are they who on themselves think least, and burn 
The self to fuel flames shall light the way 
To fertile principles, deep truths, great causes. 
Pardon me ; I am startled at myself, 
My speech. I know me not. This friendly ground 
Scarce do I feel its pressure on my Sole. 
I seem to skim the earth, to tread on air, 
Borne lightly forward by a will not mine, 
Which you nor I nor any one can baffle. 



1 



Enter in haste a booted^ spattered courier, aitd gives a package to SiR 
Baudricourt, who hurriedly opens it. 

SIR BAUDRICOURT. 

The Kina: hath lost another battle. 



Scene IV.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 27 

SIR BERTRAND. 

When ? 

SIR BAUDRICOURT. 

At noon the first of April. What of that ? 

SIR BERTRAND. 

Have you forgotten how this maiden's uncle. 
The day he came to beg an interview, 
Told she was weeping then for battle lost ? 

SIR BAUDRICOURT. 

Aye, aye, I do remember ; and you set 

The date upon your tablets. What tell they } 

SIR BERTRAND. 

Whatever they tell is from my memory gone, 
But they will give full echo of that hour. 
Read their report 

\Takes out his tablets and gives them. 

SIR BAUDRICOURT {reads), 

" At noon the first of April." 
Tis strange ! 

SIR BERTRAND. 

The air can carry messages 



28 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act I. 



I 



Swifter than e'en a royal estafette. 
My friend, man's fullest knpwledge is as yet 
Small fraction fine of what there is to know 
In the deep dwellings of the universe, 
The happy harvestings of full futurity. 

SIR BAUDRICOURT. 

Further : the King bids me send him the maid. 

MAID. 

Send me at once. Dear Orleans is in tears. 
The ruthless English close their claws upon her. 
France is impatient to be saved. 

♦ • SIR BERTRAND. ' 

High maid, 
Myself and the good knight of Novelompoint, 
Each with a trusty squire, we are to be 
Your escort and your guard. The way is long, 
And rough with dangers. 



Brave Sir Bertrand, thou 
Art one of those elected happiest men 
Who list to suck their sap from virtuous deeds. 
But, for the dangers of our coming journey, • 



Scene IV.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 29 

Give them no heed. They who commissioned me 
To this momentous work, hold in their hands 
Enough continuous pliant threads of life 
fo steer us through this hostile labyrinth. 
Let me be gone at once, Sir Baudricourt. 
Minutes weigh upon France like heaviest hours, 
So sleepless is the time with desolation. 

\Exeunt 



ACT II. 

SCENE I. 

The Royal Residence at Chinon, 

King Charles VII., the royal Dukes of Alencon and of Y^^- 
DOME, Count T>\3i^oiSf bastard of Orleans, the Cotmts of Arm AG- 
NAC and of Gaucourt, La Hire, Bertrand de Pousengis. ■ 



I KNOW not, gentlemen, that I can put 
The purpose of this Council into words, 
And stay a smile from pertly wheeling them 
From dutiful intent of seriousness. 
The question is, shall we admit t'our presence, 
As active party to our consultation 
On plans of war and policy, a girl. 
That girl a peasantess, untutored, raw ; 
But still, a girl who makes pretension to 
Angelic guidance, and hath won the heart, 
Not solely of the rude rough multitude, 
But sundry of the wisest men and women. 



I 



Scene I.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS, 3 1 

ALENCON. 

My Liege, for one, were I disposed to smile. 
The guardian Angels of our France (if they 
Have not upflown to Heaven, deserting us, 
Wrath-lifted at our mad self-immolation), 
They, if they hover near, v^^ould with a blow, 
Aye, with a blow from their invisible hands. 
Smash on my lips such smile, — sardonic, gross, 
While prostrate France gasps forth ensanguined groans. 
My Liege, lest something come to save us soon. 
We're lost, and must flee toward our southern coast. 
Flight ignominious, self-destructive, base. 
Admit this Maid : hear what she has to say. 
Hope springs fresh fountains in extremity. 

DUNOTS. 

Your Majesty, the Duke of Alengon 
Thickens the blackness of the time overmuch. 
Methinks, thick as it is, unblenching swords 
Can cut a path through to a clearer day. 

ALENCON. 

Can Count Dunois hew him a track to Orleans 
Through th' English legions that enfold and clutch 
That sparkling royal jewel \ and thus earn 
The lofty title that he wears t 



32 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act II. 

DUNOIS. 

Tis true, 
Orleans is our last hope. Give me the men, 
And I will pledge me here to raise its siege. 

ALENCON. i \ 

Ha! whence will swarm the needed men? for French- 11 

men, 
Brave as they are, can't fight unfed, unclad. \ 

GAUCOURT. 

I have no faith, my Liege, in women- warriors. 

But let us see this Maid. She's beautiful, 

'Tis said ; and beauty fires a Frenchman's heart. 

ARMAGNAC. 

Your Majesty, here is a gentleman. 

Sir Bertrand de Pousengis, who can tell, 

It may be, something of this peasant girl. 

KING. 

Sir Bertrand, speak what you have learnt or know. 

SIR BERTRAND. 

Your Majesty, this Maid of Domremy 
I have escorted all the perilous way 



Scene I.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 33 

From Vaucouleurs, enlisted by my faith, — 
A faith, born when I first beheld her there. 
Fed daily by the beaming saintliness 
Of a demeanor, where a manlike force 
So quickened maiden tenderness, all hearts 
Were boldened by her active presence, her 
Clean words and deeds falling upon the people 
A showered benediction from above. 
Amid the city's heated stir she shone 
Modest as moon new-hung in cloud-flecked sky. 
This fortnight past, threading the forest paths, — 
Which had been weary both and dangerous. 
But for the constant light of her fair aspect 
And the sure prescience of her dispositions, — 
She was the guardian of her harnessed guards, 
The comforter of th' oft discouraged escort. 
I claim some knowledge of the wondrous Maid. 
Through this long travel was I at her side 
By day and night. I see a sudden smile. 
My lords, brighten your bronzed visages ; 
But know, that to my thought, not reverenced child, 
Nor sister sacred, nor soul's image of 
Divine perfection, could be hedged around 
By firmer rampart of high chastity. 
Than this poor peasant girl of Domremy, 
Her citadel an inward heavenliness. 
3 



34 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act II. 

I vow myself her servant knight, almost 
rd said her worshipper, so good she is, 
So wise, so pure, so true. 



I 



By Heaven, Sir Bertrand, J 
You are a noble, chivalrous gentleman. j 

Go bring your wondrous maiden to our presence. \ 

{Exit Sir Bertrand. i 
Dunois, take you my seat. 

\The King descends fro7n the throftCy and DUNOIS seats him- 
self thereon. 

She knows us not : 
We'll try her promptly at her first approach. 

GAUCOURT. 

Give her such shriving drench, my lord Dunois, 
That she shall need confessor never more. 

DUNOIS. 

If her bragged angels be not forced to lay 
Their plumeless pinions drooping at my feet, 
And she to offer penance for her fraud, 
May I ne'er hark for bugle blast again. 

Reenter SiR Bertrand with the Maid. 

Well, Shepherdess, what is your will with hie? 



Scene I.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS, 35 

MAID. 

Not unto you, Bastard of Orleans, is 
My homage owed. My Liege is here. 

{Kneeling before the KiNG. 

Great King, 
By that mysterious Power which through wisdom, — 
To a frail mortal ken unfathomable, — 
Chooses its instruments at times among 
The lowliest born, to you I'm sent that I 
Be your chief servant in extremity. 
Ordered, empowered, to raise the siege of Orleans, 
And then to lead you to be crowned at Rheims. 

KING. 

You speak not like a rustic peasant girl. 



I am a rustic peasant girl no more. 

Why me and not another they have chosen 

At this disastrous moment, that I know not. 

Of God's true purposes (in achieving which 

He uses angels, who in turn use us) 

Only by inward watch upon ourselves. 

And honest outward look, can we learn aught. 

Becoming quicker, better learners we, 

The deeper is our childlike innocence ; 



l6 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 

For as with light He permeates the air, 
So does He interfuse with finer beam 
The souls of men clean passive to his will. 

\As the Maid in speaking these lines becoines rapt, looking up-' 
•ward, the King steps a little hack from her in asfojiishmeni 
and admiration. Some of the lords do the same. 



Your words are higher than I'm wont to hear. 
That you by instinct knew Dunois and me, 
Is much ; but I would hold a subtler proof 
Of the supernal friends you claim to have. 



Your Majesty shall be full satisfied. 
First bid these gentlemen to stand aloof. 

[ The King and Maid go to one side^ the lords to the other. \ 

ARMAGNAC. 

So many are the sins he has to score, 
'Twill easy be to guess at one or two. 

DUNOIS. 

See, see :■ the King is startled — ^turneth pale. 
She plies him further : why, he looks subdued. 



Scene I.J THE MAID OF ORLEANS, 37 

VENDOME. 

He is by far too much subdued already. 
If she'll put life and courage into him, 
I shall believe she is by angels backed. 

KING {coming forward). 

This Maid hath plucked a secret from my heart, 

A secret, guarded with such lively watch, 

It never had been breathed to living ear, 

Or whispered of by lips until by hers. 

It frightens me to think this mystery could 

By any one be known except myself 

She has strange gifts, more than are natural. ^ 

I will consult the Bishops ; they will know. 

Meanwhile, Duke Alengon, take charge of her ; 

And treat her as becomes your dignity. 

\ExeuntY^i^(^ a7td lords ^ except ALiE:iiCON and SiR Bertra:xD. 



Delay, delay ; ever a putting off. 

ALENCON. 

{ 
Rare Maid, postponement is the kingly home. 
His petted palace, rounded with the soft 
And perfumed pillows of luxuriousness. 
His acts of kingly duty and renown 



38 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act II. 

Are in a future which he never grasps, 

That virtuous time aye smothered in his sloth. 

And hence the wreck of France ; for war's success 

With lazy laggardness is conjugal, 

As stealthy darkness with divulging day, 

MAID. 

Ah me ! that France should be so buffeted ! 
Dear bleeding France, pale with the loss of drops 
That redden lifted arms of enemies. 
Yet Orleans must be, shall be, soon relieved. 

ALENCON. 

i 

The King hath lost the power to command ; 

His captains loyal temper to obey ; 

And the poor, trampled, scourged, abandoned people, 

All confidence in both, all faith, all hope. 

Bloody destruction glares upon the kingdom, 

Croaking malicious at our helplessness. 

SIR BERTRAND. 

Pardon, Duke Alengon ; Til comfort you. 
Were Vaucouleurs^ where she abode a fortnight, 
But a league hence, you'd see her compassed round 
By men armed to the teeth, each at his cost. 
So did she swell all hearts with forward zeal : 



Scene II.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 39 

Blow into them her martial spirit's breath. 

And thus 'twill soon be here. She's a born leader, — 

And more than that 

ALENCON {to the Maid), 
The King — you heard his charge, 
To me his welcome charge — commended you 
To my good care. 

[Exeunt. 



SCENE II. 

Residence of the Duke of Alert f on, at Chinon. 

The Duchess of Alencon and her daughter Emily, agedfifteefu 

EMILY. 

Mother, why does she keep away so long ? 

DUCHESS. 

She undergoes sharp trial now at Poictiers, 
By hoary councilors and priests, to learn 
Whether she be from God or th' evil one. 



n 



40 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act II 

EMILY. 

Mother, she cannot be from th' evil one :• 
I never feel so good as when with her. 

DUCHESS. 

Surer than all this conclave's cognizance 
Is that as voucher for a pedigree. 
If thy pure pulses be still purified 
By her strong presence, she must be from heaven, 
Aye, and from heaven's heavenliest circles sent. 
Methinks some women interspersed could piece 
The Council's judgment out to sounder wholeness: 
Some succor from her peers this Maid should have. 



From Poictiers yesterday there was no courier: 
Is't not a sign that father's coming home ? 



DUCHESS. 

Ha ! here he is. 

Enter the Duke of Alencon. 

And good news on his face. 

ALENCON. 

s 

The best : she's cleared. The Council has pronounced, 
Swayed by the King and people. As 'twas here, 



r 



Scene IL] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 4 1 

So too at Poictiers : her great heart enclasps, 

It holds, and melts all hearts, men, women, children, 

All warmly won ; as though the puissant air 

Were suddenly inflammable^ and she 

A torch, that where she comes it flameth wide, 

Thawing the frozen courage of the land, 

Giving impetuous motions as of old. 

Men are all soul ; forget their bodies ; weep 

With Frenchmen's joy. The King, even the lords, 

The skeptic lords, eye her with admiration. 

Soldiers pour in : she leads a fresh strong force 

To Orleans. What a sight to see her, armed 

Like manliest knight, govern exulting steed. 

And wind him with such sway, as she sat there 

To teach bold chivalry its horsemanship ; 

My look so dazzled that I seemed to see 

An image almost of the Virgin self, 

Descended on a cloud rainful of pity. 

To teach anew obediences and law ; 

As though men's governance had failed on earth, 

And woman would recleanse infected power. 

She gives commands as she'd ne'er done aught else. 

Good-will and zeal and courage rule afresh 

In all men's hearts. She starts to-day, this hour. 

EMILY. 

O father, shall I not see her again ? 



42 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. |AcT 11. 

ALENCON. 

You shall. By me she sends your mother word, 
She'll stop to bid good-by. You'll hardly know her, 
Attended as she is with martial suite 
Of heralds, squire and chaplain. Here she is. 



n^ 



Enter the Maid, in silver armor and helmet^ a banner in her hand^ 
with sword and curtle-axe on either side ^followed by two heralds y 
a squire^ and a chaplain. 

DUCHESS. 

Dear Maid, how shall I greet thee ? 



As the mother 
Thou'st been to me. 

[ They warmly embrace, 

O, thou hast made me feel 
As I had here regained my own dear mother ; 
And thou {to Emily) a dearest sister found anew. 

[Embraces her. 
Now I might linger here, to feed my heart 
On daily home brewed sweetness of affection, 
Soothing me in the lap of tenderness. 
But woman-happinesses are not mine. 

[She gently unlinks herself from their embrace. 



\ 



r 



Scene III.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS, 43 

War, war ! Blood, blood ! There is no other way., 

God^s will be done : I am an instrument. 

And noble Duke, my hearty thanks to you. 

We'll meet again ere long, and side by side^ 

Upon the battle-field. Farewell ! Farewell ! 

Now must I weep at carnage which I cause : 

It is my destiny, my duty's hest. 

In the brief silent respites from war's 'larums, 

Dear memories will waft me to my home 

In far Domremy, halting on the way 

At Chinon here, to fondle and to thank you. 

Farewell ! 

[Emily runs to her and embraces her passionately. 
My blessing on you. On, to Orleans. 

{Exit. 



SCENE III. 
Public Square in Orleans^ in front of a church. 

Enter several Citizens ^ much elated. 

FIRST CITIZEN. 

Who would have believed it ? The English made no 
stir to balk her entrance. 



44 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act II. 

SECOND CITIZEN. 

As she marched by, they looked on spell-bound, as 
if rooted in the earth, rigid as statues. Their chiefs, 
Talbot and Suffolk, feared to bid them attack, lest they 
should disobey, or worse than that, be panic-stricken. 
This I heard just now from a brave Champagnee, w^'ho 
deserted from them but an hour ago. 

Enter an Old Man. 

OLD MAN. 

Now I'm content to die : Orleans is saved, saved by 
an angel in woman's shape, sent down from heaven. 
The old prophecy is about to be fulfilled. 

THIRD CITIZEN. 

Uncle, were you near enough to see her well ? 

OLD MAN. 

I was afraid of the crowd, and so I waited at the 
treasurer's gate, where I knew she was to alight. The 
smile she gave me as I half knelt to her ! 'twill add a 
year unto my life. 

SECOND CITIZEN. 

The close-packed multitude sobbed for joy. Who 



I 



Scene III.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 45 

ever knew me weep, before to-day ? 1 needn't be 
ashamed of it, for I saw a big drop steal down the sun- 
burnt cheek of La Hire. 

FIRST CITIZEN. 

And as she passed St. Ambrose Church she reined 
her steed^ and bowed her head in prayer. 

SECOND CITIZEN. 

A poor half-starved woman held up an infant. She 
stretched over its head her hand and blest it. 

THIRD CITIZEN. 

The Bastard of Orleans, riding by her side, looked 
prouder than aye. 

SECOND CITIZEN. 

He was thinking more of himself than of her. 
Enter La Hire, at the side with his hack to the stage, 

LA HIRE. 

Halt ! Stand at ease ! 

SOLDIER. 

Captain La Hire, is there an alarm ? 



46 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act II. 

LA HIRE. 

Zounds ! — that's the first oath I've sworn for a week. 
I'm under orders from the Maid never to swear : the 
abstinence will, I fear, unbrace my sinews. Any alarm ? 
No : I wish there was, I so long to set my two hun- 
dred to a charge. They'd now ride down a regiment 
of English, were every man in it a Talbot. The Maid 
bade me meet her with my troop here in the public 
square: what for, I know not. Ha ! there's a church : 
she'll be going to make them charge upon that. Her 
they'll follow even into a church. The half of them, 
I'll be sworn, never saw the inside of one, unless as 
sanctuary after a homicide. Such troopers never sat 
horse before. Every man of them has the muscle of an 
ox and the spring of a tiger. I call them fresh vet- 
erans, fellows bred to war, but not enrankt for some 
time past, 

FIRST CITIZEN. 

Captain La Hire, do you believe in the Maid's vis- 
ions? 

LA HIRE. 

I know nothing about visions. A strange power she 
has : whence it comes I know not. Men she draws to 
her, and moulds them to her will ; whether by help of 
angels or by force of soul I cannot tell. Even her 
beauty could not alone do the half she does. She has 
one great quality, I'm sure of. 



I 



Scene III.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS, 47 

FIRST CITIZEN. 

What's that ? 

LA HIRE. 

A commander's eye. Great commanders are born, 
and rarely born. Shell make no mistakes. 

FIRST CITIZEN. 

Will the other Captains, Dunois and the rest, obey 
her ? 

LA HIRE. 

It goes hard with veteran leaders to submit to be led 
by a peasant girl, not out of her teens. But they must 
come to it : all our squadrons will obey her against 
them. 

Enter the Maid, with her chaplain. 

MAID. 

Ha ! my brave Captain, you are here before me. 

LA hire. . 
High Maid, I do my duty. 

MAID. 

France were now 
Healthy, erect, and strong as any oak, 
The stoutest that for centuries hath braved 



I 



48 T//E MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act 

The tempest on her bleakest mountain side, 
Had every noble Frenchman done his duty. 
Noble, I say ; for they whose part and place 
It is to plan and rule, in peace and war. 
Theirs are the weightiest and most sacred duties ; 
And France is prostrate, sapped, because her best 
And highest have been neither good nor high. 
Lacking obedience to command of right, 
Selfish, self-seeking, arrogant, and false. 
Obedience is the life of prosperous, action. 
Here it must rule as highest law of laws. 
If Orleans shall be saved. 



Here is a troop 
Will swing a brawny hand at your behest. 

MAID [io the troop). 

My valiant fellow-soldiers, you and 1 

Are come to raise this ^iege and drive the English hence. \ 

Say, can we do it ? 

THE TROOP. 

Aye, aye \ we can, we will. 

MAID. 

You'll follow me wherever I shall lead ? 



Scene III.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 49 

THE TROOP [with zeal). 

We will, we will. 

MAID. • 

To-morrow then we'll try 
The manhood of these towers that frown so on us. 
And now I go to ask, to pray, for strength. 
To Him whence all strength cometh, the Most High. 
Go with me and kneel with me side by side. 

THE TROOP {ijoith zeal). 

We will, we will. 

MAID. 

Good citizens of Orleans, 
It is no partial greedy boon we crave ; 
Only, that Heaven abet the righteous cause. 
The heart draws life from prayerful earnestness. 
Prayers that have in them soul enough to mount, 
Meet loving answer on their upward flight. 
Come with me to the church, and help me pray. 
Captain La Hire, bring in your gallant men. 

\As she walks towards the church followed by the citizens, 

the curtain drops. 



1 



ACT III. 

SCENE I. 

Orleans, 

The Maid, Dunois, Gaucourt, Saintrailles, Coaraze, 
La Hire. 

MAID. 

Had I given heed to sacred instinct's charge, 
I had assailed them yesterday, at once, 
Upon our entrance to th' exultant town, 
While a great joy fanned courage in our hearts 
And unexpectedness had stunned the foe. 
I yielded to your wish. To-day I would 
See razed the tallest of these English forts. 
We need a victory : 'tis a first need, 
To hearten us 'gainst long discouragement. 
Muster our squadrons at the eastern gate. 
'Tis yet four hours to noon. 

DUNOIS. 

Still for to-day, 



Scene I.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 5 1 

As yesterday, hold good the reasons for 
Postponement, chief, that we surely foresee 
Strong reinforcement. 

MAID. 

So the English too ; 
And they've had none, while Orleans has, in us. 
Quickness is a high multiple in war : 
It harbors many virtues in its leap. 

GAUCOURT. 

Besides, this is the holy Ascension day. 

MAID. 

Is Count Gaucourt so pious suddenly ? 

Healthy religion ripes more foodful fruit. 

All days are God's : He works on holy days 

As other days ; nor doth He Sunday bar 

The sun from shining, or the river's flow\ 

As all the days are God's, so are they man's ; 

And he who does good deeds should fear no frown. 

Our motion's swing, dear life and liberty. 

No charter binds but duteous rectitude. 

Now to the muster : 'tis a holy war, 

France- to redeem from vassalage. La Hire, 

'Twill be an active day for you. 



52 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act III. 

LA HIRE. 

High Maid, 
Your orders are my law. 

\Exit the Maid 

GAUCOURT. 

Captain La Hire 
Ever had eyes for a young woman's charms. 
She has her will to-day: another day 
He'll have his will of her. 



Well known it is, 
Captain Gaucourt has faith in nothing ; nay, 
Not in himself: therein he may be right ; 
And sure it was not merit made him Captain. 
Let him turn hard suspicion, cynic scorn, 
Where they are virtuous aims, — on his own heart. 

GAUCOURT. 

How dares a brigand hold such speech to me ? 



If Count Gaucourt is better than a brigand, 
He hath not shown it yet. The impudence 
Of littleness it proves, that he should be 



Scene I.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 53 

Foremost to grudge this gifted girl her right 
Of chieftainship, a right direct from God, 
Confirmed by Charles our King. 

GAUCOURT. 

She may be. chief 
O'er cut-throats, childish oafs, befooled by faith. 
But not o'er me : untutored peasantess ! 



Beware, beware! In times of boiling stress, 
Men who have ris'n by gross partiality 
Of Fortune sink with sudden disappearance, 
' While Nature's sparkling pets leap to the lead. 
Fortune must yield when Nature claims her due. 
Come, Saintrailles, our high warrior-Maid awaits us. 

\Exeunt La Hire and Saintrailles. 

GAUCOURT. 

A warrior-maid ! As if such thing could be. 
The eastern gate, said she. That is my post. 
I'll hold it shut against a thousand Maids. 

COARAZE. 

And I'll go help you. 

\Exeiint GAUCOURT and Coaraze. 



* 



54 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act III. 

DUNOIS {alone). 

Gentlemen, take care. 
You know, I know, naught of this element 
You handle new. That she's a power, I know, • 

A. power to wield men's wills, as I my sword. 
Myself can scarce withstand her, if I would. 
And then she has far-sighted martial gifts, 
A military intuition's glance. 
As we approached the walls and entered Orleans, 
I wondered at the much she saw, some points 
My survey had not seized. Now to her side. 
If I err not, to-day this maiden's" breath 
Will be more than a whirlwind's blast to drive 
Requickened squadrons on these English walls. 

[Exit 



SCENE II. 

The Eastern Gate of Orlea?is. 

Sentinels and other Soldiers. 

FIRST SOLDIER {entering in haste). 
Have you heard the good news ? 



w 



Scene IL] T//£ MAID OF ORLEANS. 55 

SEVERAL SOLDIERS. 

What is it ? What is it ? 

FIRST SOLDIER. 

The English fort nearest our gate is to be attacked 
to-day, at once. They are mustering now. The Maid 
leads the assault. 

SECOND SOLDIER. 

Then the fort will be carried. Can any one tell me 
why, since she's in the town^ I feel two hearts beating 
in my bosom } 

THIRD SOLDIER. 

And SO do I, and so does every man. By her com- 
ing the garrison's doubled, without counting the fresh 
men she brought. Here's our Captain. 

Enter Gaucourt and CoARAZE. 

Count Gaucourt, is it true that an assault is to be 
made on the nearest tower to-day 1 

gaucourt. 

I have heard some talk of it. Close the gate. {The 
soldiers shut the gate.) Now bolt it. {They bolt it.) 
Hearken my strict command : No man must unbar or 



56 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act III. 

open that gate, until I order it. Let none come near 
the gate : guard it at your peril. 

COARAZE. 

I have misgivings. Will these men achieve your 
orders, clashing against the Maid's commands ? 

GAUCOURT. 

They have no will but mine. So closely tied 
Their motions are to me, to disobey 
They'd feel a suicide. Habit, drill, and now 
Necessity, have ta'en such hold of them, 
They're passive bodies, whose one souFs in me. 
They are machines, not men ; and my machines.* 

Enter the Maid, attended by a Squire and Herald, and followed by 
Soldiers. Gaucourt and CoARAZE stand on one side. 

MAID. 

Open the gate. 

FIRST SOLDIER. 

We are forbid by our Captain. 

IN^IAID. 

Where is your Captain t 

[Gaucourt comes forward 
Count Gaucourt, 'tis good 
Th' obedience of your soldiers ; for, tight discipline 



w 



Scene II.] T//E MAID OF ORLEANS. 57 

Is to an army more than stoutest mail. 
Now order them to ope the gate to me. 

GAUCOURT. 

I cannot. I condemn the assault to-day. 



Traitor ! Dare you to be so mutinous ? 
Warriors, obey your chief: unbolt the gate. 

[The soldiers y with a rusk, unbolt and Jling open the gate. 

Now follow me, for France and victory ! 

[Exit through the gate y followed by all the soldiers : others come 
hastening through it from the town . 



IVe made a gross mistake, and so have, you 

YTo Gaucourt; 
But one way for us to retrieve ourselves, 
And that's to fight, and fight among the foremost. 

GAUCOURT. 

I have no soldiers : all hav^ followed her. 

COARAZE. 

Let's after them : fight, — that's the word to-day. 

[Exit, pulling Ga.\5CO\}Ky: with him. 



58 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act III. 

Enter from the town several elderly citizens and a lame soldier ; at 
intervals the booming of cannon is heard. . j 



Could it but mend my leg, that tingling sound ! 

FIRST CITIZEN (to soldier). 
Gustave, climb on to the wall, and tell us what you 
see. 

SOLDIER. 

I'll try: the next best thing to being in a fight is, to 
look at it. {Climbs up,) Ha ! I see them all. There's 
the Maid, galloping in front. And beyond is the Eng- 
lish line. Ah ! I know how hard it is to break that 
wall of courage. 

FIRST CITIZEN. 

We don't want to hear praise of the English. 

SOLDIER. 

The more praise they get, the greater our credit if we. 
beat them. They've taken the half of France from us, 
and shut us up here in Orleans. Could cowards do 
that ? 

SECOND CITIZEN. 

Don't talk, but tell us what you see. 



I 



Scene IL] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 59 

SOLDIER. 

Here to the left, Talbot chafes to help his country- 
men. He shows his teeth, but dares not come far 
enough out to bite, the Bastard so shields with ready 
squadrons the Maid's assault. Ha ! La Hire charges 
from the right with all his troop. Hurrah ! the Eng- 
lish break. What's this? Our left wing's routed. 
Where's the Maid ? I see her not — I see her not. 
Ha ! there she is ; she was unhorsed : she's up again ; 
she plunges among our flying ranks : they rally round 
her ; cling about her like children to their mother in a 
storm. There, she rushes on the foe, waves her ban- 
ner: not a man out leaps after her. 'Tis now the 
English turn : they fly, ours after them, pell-mell upon 
and into the fort. Victory ! Victory ! The day is 
'ours : Orleans is saved. This is the first blow ; the 
last will not be long behind it. 

FIRST CITIZEN. 

Look again. Tell us what you see now. 

SOLDIERS. 

Scores of prisoners are led away. There's the Maid, 
quite near. Her horse limps. She's dismounting : she 
leans upon her Squire. She's coming back. 

\He descends from the wall. 



6o THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act III. 

Enter /^^ Maid, attended by her Herald and Squire, who carries her 
banner ; some stains of blood on her armor, 

MAID [to the Herald). 

Guyenne, the prisoners, see them well supplied. 
It seems as I had had a battle's dream, 
Which frights me in the memory of its rage. 
But did not in the doing. Stains of blood ! 

[Looking at her annor. 

The blood of fellow-creatures ! Strange ! most strange ! 
My mother ! — what would she have thought had she 
Seen me to-day ! 

\Looking up. 

Thy will be done ! Guyenne, 
Bid the church-bells to ring, that all the people 
May meet, and kneel in reverent thankfulness. 
Lend me thy arm^ Daulon ; 

[ To the Squire » 

I'm weary weak. 
There's too much woman in my muscles still. 
But I shall harden. By and by, perhaps, 
I may in turn give you a helping arm. 

[Exit slowly, leaning on Daulon's arm. Church-bells ringing. 



{ 



Scene III.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 6 1 

SCENE III. 

The Royal Residence at Chinon, 
The King, the Dukes ^Alencon ^«^ Vendome. 

ALENCON. 

i 

Shall the long life of Carlovingian Kings 
Cease suddenly in thee, buried, like corpse 
Of guilty suicide, in its own cross roads, 
Clotted with gore of Frenchmen vainly shed ; 
While o'er our France, in doubtless sovereignty, 
Flares the red flag of England's baby-king. 
The upstart brat of proud Plantagenet. 

s 
KING. 

My cousin Alen9on, you fear too much. 
France is not lost; even if Orleans be. 



What is the body worth, when arms and legs 
Are severed off? If Orleans be not lost, 
What we shall gain by Orleans v,rill be lost, — 
A wide prestige, and strength from victory, — 
Unless we ship us fearless on the flood 



* • 1 

62 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act III. 

The Maid hath loosed, the flood of life and valor 
Resprung in people's hearts, heaving to bear 
Their rightful King onward to rapid triumph. 

KING. 

Orleans is not yet free : when will it be 1 

ALENCON. 

The Maid has entered Orleans ; and if she 
Issues not thence victorious, I'll go hide 
A bowed shame-stricken head in farthest isle, 
Where sight shall not be prematurely dimmed 
By daily glaring at a conquered France, 
Nor ears be deafened by the whine of slaves. 

VKNDOME. 

My Liege, that Alengon exaggerates 
The dangers of our plight, I cannot think. 
Yourself, the throne, our house, all, all is lost, 
Unless we quickly, boldly, back the Maid. 
Victory is the pet child of trustful swiftness. 

Enter a Knight, booted and spurred^ in haste, 

KNIGHT. 

Your Majesty, I'm ordered to deliver 
To your own hands a brief dispatch. 

{Gives a letter. 






Scene III.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 63 

KING. 

From Orleans ? 

KNIGHT. 

Sire, from the Maid herself. 

KING. 

Read it, Alengon. 

ALEN90N {reading). 

" Most gracious King, with news of victory 
I greet the royal ear. But one hour since 
The fort St. Loup was carried by assault. 
Two hundred slain ; as many prisoners. 
Our loss was light. Within a week, I trust 
Your Orleans will be freed. Let me beseech 
Your Majesty to move nearer to us. 
More work will be to do, and it will need 
Swiftness. Your faithful servant, Joan, the Maid.'* 

KING, 

'Tis a strange girl, this Joan of Arc. 

ALENCON. 

Strange, Sire ! 
Far more than that ; a wondrous maid, a power 
To save dear France, if she be seconded. 



64 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act III. 

KING. 

She shall be seconded. On, then, to Selles. 
We'll welcome there the victress out of Orleans. 
You, Alen^on, gather your forces in 
For this new work. 

ALEN90N. 

That will I with a will. 
To see you. Sire, in this high regal mood. 
Glads me with something of the old-time joy. 

\Exeunt. 



SCENE IV. 

One of the English Forts, outside of Orleans. 

Lords Talbot and Suffolk, Sir William Blunt, Sir Her- 
bert Hampton, Sir Henry Clifford. 

TALBOT.. 

Sooner than fly to save John Talbot's life. 
Single I'd hew my way to Orleans' heart, 
And there, begirt, my back against a wall, 
Challenge fierce, hungry death to tilt at me 



I j 



I . 



Scene IV.] T//JS MAID OF ORLEANS. 65 

With sharpened point of thousand thirsty spears, 

Thrust by the wrath in vengeful Frenchmen's thews. 

But I am not mine own, that I may feast 

Mi;ie honor on such dainty death. Brave comrades, 

Our Hves, the lives of .all these men, we hold 

In trust for England and our king. My friend, — 

For such I'm proud to call Sir William Blunt, — 

A veteran in the services of war. 

Your judgment hath especial worth for all. 

Shall we retreat, or stand the brunt of siege ; 

For henceforth we're no longer the besiegers. 

But the. besieged, so lopped are all our means. 

BLUNT. ^ 

Noble Lord Talbot, rather would I fall 

With you, gashed by a thousand Frankish swords, 

Than turn my back upon this girlish host. 

But we must hence, and quickly, would we save 

The remnant of our force for wiser war. 

TALBOT. 

Sir Herbert, you're not given to retreat ; 
What say you ? 

HAMPTON. 

I've no mind to be here butchered 
'Mid a slack herd of lily-livered knaves, • 
5 



66 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act HI. 

Dastards whom Tve seen shake at distant sight 
Of this she-devil. Had I not myself 
Mustered them in Northamptonshire, I^d think • 
My corps were never sprung from English loins, 
Their pluck so shrinks before this warrior-witch. 
Transfer them quick to unenchanted fields. 

TALBOT. 

Sir Henry, will you bide the worst, or move,? 

CLIFFORD. 

Let us away at once : this very day 

My men of choice, whom never did I know 

Give groiflSd before, fled from this master-Maid. 

Myself encountered her, and by St. George, 

Had she not worn her beaver up, I^ thought 

The champion knight of France wielded the sword 

That gave and took so nimbly. My men gone. 

When hers rushed to her rescue, slowly I 

Gave way, fronting the numerous enemy, 

As doth become a Clifford. And, my Lords, 

Be she devil or angel, this I'll say. 

She bears her like an Amazonian Queen. 

TALBOT. 

My Lord of Suffolk, you are youngest here ; 

But your ripe judgment weighs with the most weighty. 



Scene IV.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS, 6/ 

SUFFOLK. 

I would not play the braggart, and so set * 
Myseff against this concord's perfectness. 
Were here proud England's bravest chivalry, 
To a man they'd say, in such a case as this. 
Lord Talbot's will were binding law for all. 

TALBOT. 

Then, gentlemen, prepare to march at dawn. 

We will not steal away by night, like thieves, 

But lift our tattered banners to the wind 

When the brave sun declares them to the foe j 

And then, to loud drum-beat, slowly depart. 

Should they attack us : — ^ but I hope they will not : ^=— 

I might forget my duty to my King, 

And, thinking only of myself, my sword 

Sheathe in so many Frenchmen's hearts^ I should 

Fall dead among them from pure weariness. 



68 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act V. 

SCENE V. 

The Eastern Gate of Orleans^ at Daybreak, 
Enter Saintrailles a7td La Hire. Soldiers about the gate. 

SAINTRAILLES. 

With what pacific prodigality of pomp 
And gorgeous great accompaniment, the sun 
Prepares his entrance -to our warring world, 
Which heedeth not his wholesome majesty, 
So blinded is it by unwholesome dreams. 

LA HIRE. 

But here are many who, in eagerness 

To cope again the worsted English troop. 

Greet this new morning's glow with a delight 

As fresh and strong as 'twere their wedding-day. 

There's nothing men so crave as leadership ; 

And naught so lifts the leader to bis place 

As soul, — a soul so large that other souls 

Run to it for refreshment, and repair, 

As centripetal veins into the heart. ; 

Oar King and Captains all were impotent. 

When suddenly an untaught peasantess ' 



Scene V.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 69 

Bounds from the earth, so quick with heavenly gifts, 
Men, women, old and young, sway to her will, 
Ruled by the deep humanity there's in her. 

[A movement and voices among the Soldiers. 

What is it ? 

[ To the Soldiers, 
FIRST SOLDIER. 

The English are enrankt for battle. 

SAINTRAILLES. 

And so they are. 

LA HIRE. 

Beat drums, blow bugle's blast. 

[Drums and bugles. 

Ha ! boys, we'll give the lions t)ne more chase. 

FIRST SOLDIER. 

We'll drive them to their cage and keep them there. 
Enter the Maid in haste, partly armed. 

MAID. 

Hold ! Stain not with unnecessary blood 

The Sabbath day. 

\She goes to the gate. 



70 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act III. 

LA HIRE. 

They offer battle to us. 



This lengthened front is not for battle. See, 
They march away. See, see. 

LA HIRE. 

They do, they do. 
How like stout Talbot is this sunny start. 
Too proud is he to sneak away by night. 



i 



MAID. 

Summon all Orleans : we will follow them. 
And on the plain, while still they're in our sight, 
Sing to their waning ears a loud Te Deum. 

[ExeunfLk Hire, Saintrailles, and soldiers. 
They're gone ; and rescued Orleans freely breathes. 
Now from this long overshadowed centre spreads 
A glow, that flusheth fainting France with hope, 
With high resolve. One little, rapid month. 
So dyed with change ! What a deep mystery 
, Our living here on earth, its only clew 
In the great life beyond, and that there is 
A life beyond. Man were a raveled skein, 
Not to be disentangled, did his threads 



I 



Scene V.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 7 1 

Not wind themselves upon the long hereafter. 
He mounts and mounts to ever cleaner day, 
They whoVe above him beckoning him to them. 
How fresh the joy of going always up, 
Earning for aye a wider, sweeter being. . - 
Distressful life's sole sweetener is love, 
Love, lifting while it lights and furthers us ; 
For onward is aye surer when 'tis upward. 
But love itself hangs weights upon our feet : 
Love's life's in selfless helpfulness, whereby 
We rise the highest when we most descend. 
And now, to cheer the million sufferers 
Of this torn France, I must at once alight 
Upon the poisoned marsh of sluggishness, 
Where lives, or rather fails to live, the King. 
I'll snatch him up into this triumph's gale, 
And bear him on to Rheims, to holy Rheims. 



ACT IV. 

SCENE I. 

The Royal Residence at Selles. 

The King, the Dukes of Alencon and Vendome. To them 
enter Count Dunois and Saintrailles. 

KING. 

My gallant warriors, whom to thank the most 
I know not, all have done so well. 

DUNOIS. 

My Liege, 
The Captain of us all, the wondrous Maid, 
Your choice thanks keep for her. 

SAINTRAILLES. 

Your Majesty, 
Into the men who drove th' investing force 
From Orleans she inbreathed the soul that wrought. 



f' Scene I.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 73 

KING. 

She will be here anon ? 

SAINTRAILLES. 

We had the start 
But half an hour. 

Enter La Hire. 

KING. 

Welcome La Hire. Your news ? 
Where is the Maid ? 

LA HIRE. 

Sire, she's without, and sends 
To announce her coming. 

KING. 

Subjects great as she 
Have privilege of entrance to their King 
At pleasure, unannounced. Bid her come in. 

\Exit La Hire. 
Her brother, is he with her ? 

SAINTRAILLES. 

Aye, my Liege, 
And has done valiant service by her side. 



74 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act IV. 

Enter the Maid, her Brother, her Squire, andl^ Hire. 

KING {to whom she kneels). 

Rise Maid of Orleans. By this title's fame 
Be henceforth known to Christendom for aye. 
High Maid of Orleans, France and France's King 
Owe you a matchless debt, whereof this hour 
I'll pay a portion. Name your largest wish. 
This is your brother ? 

MAID. 

Sire, my brother Pierre. 
The favor I would ask your Majesty — 

KING. 

Say it : 'tis fully granted era you speak. 



But part is done. What has been gained at Orleans, 

And what shall be 'twixt this and Rheims — all is 

Preparatory to the deed at Rheims, 

The crowning of you there. My gracious King, 

The favor I would beg is, that you will 

Speed me to Rheims with all your means and power. 

Until you. Sire, are crowned, and crowned at Rheims, 

Nor friend nor foe reveres or feels your kingship. 



r 



Scene I.] THE MAID OF^ORLEANS. 75 

KING. 

But ask you nothing for your kin, dear Maid ? 
Your father, brother, — nothing for yourself? 

MAID. 

I ask deliverance for the kingdom, and 
My souFs integrity : naught else. A high 
Sacred commission is intrusted me : 
Who therein aideth, profits me the most. ^ 

KING, 

From this to Rheims the way is full of perils. 

MAID. 

Perils are spurs that prick the brave to action : 
Like mistresses they fire the souls of knights 
To liveliest motion. Zest they give to exploits, 
Lacking the which, tame these and flavorless. 
Of every peril, Sire, I'll make a prop, 
So that your earthly strength shall fortify 
The holy strength the consecration gives. 
The triumphs won upon the way will weave 
A jeweled band to clasp the crown at Rheims, 
And hold it tightly to your royal brow. 

KING. 

Our troops are faint : we gain by- resting them. 



j6 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act IV. | 

MAID. 

Our every halt is respite to the foe. 

He's worn in limb and heart, while we are flushed 

With mastery, all jubilant with hope. 

KING. 

'Tis well ; and you shall have full furtherance meet. 

To-morrow I, in honor of yourself 

And your brave comrades, hold a festival : 

To this I bid you all, and after that 

Will haste you on your way. 



Pardon, my Liege ■ 



KING. 



What ! not a day ? 



Not one, most gracious King. 
The day for feasting is when work is done. 
In war Time lends his scythe unto the swift. 
The spirit's up in France : let it have swing. 
Cool, slacken it, not with an hour's pause. 
Armed men and knights are streaming to our ranks, 
Vowed to uplift down-trodden, wasted France 



L„ ,„....„... . 

BTo rightful place of power and command, 
■ And drive these English to their petty isle. 
Battles are ringing loudly in my ears, 

■ And Frankish shouts of victory. My Liege, 
[^Kneeling. 
I do beseech you, let me march at once. 

^P KING {raising /ler up). 

Almost your words weave harness to my back. 
Your wish shall be my law, great Maid of Orleans. 

MAID. 

La Hire, we rest to-night. At earliest dawn • 
Be all afoot, ready for quickest step. 
I beg you. Sire, to let me now withdraw. 

[Exeunl. 



SCENE n. 

P/am north of the Loire, near the Town of Fatay. 
Enter Talbot and Clifford, meeting. 



r 

^^H CLIFFORD. 

Lord Talbot, get you ready for a fight, 



78 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act 

TALBOT. 

But are the French so near ? 

CLIFFORD. 

In battle ranged, 
And close at hand. 

TALBOT. 

Full of surprises she, 
The nimble witch. Too late to fall back now 
To picked position, and I'm glad 'tis so : 
I'd rather fight, even though chances scowl. 
Know you. the name of the small town t'our left ? 

CLIFFORD. 

Patay, my lord. 

TALBOT. 

Clifford, I have misgivings. 

But come : we'll fight the battle of Patay. 

• [Exeunt, 

The scene opens ; at the back of the stage " Alarums y excursions ; " 
then enter Suffolk, fighting as he retreats before two French 
soldiers led by a Sergeant. 

SERGEANT, ^ 

Cease barren blows : what can one sword/gainst three ? 
Surrender ; or we'll hack you limb by limb. 



Scene II.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS, 79 

SUFFOLK. 

Suffolk was never yet a prisoner. 

His ransom will be rich. Name what 'twill be, 

And, on the honor of an English peer, 

The double shall be paid you if you now 

Let me go free. 

SERGEANT. 

It cannot be, great lord. 
Or yield your sword, or here be hewn to death. 

SUFFOLK. 

You are a gentleman ? 

SERGEANT, ' 

I am, my lord. 

SUFFOLK. 

Your name ? 

SERGEANT. 

William Regnault. 



SUFFOLK. 
SERGEANT. 

I'm not a Knight. 



Are you a Knight ? 



80 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act IV. 

9 
SUFFOLK. 

Suffolk will never yield 
His sword to one who's less than Knight. Then kneel, 
And here I'll dub you. 

[Sergeant kneels: '$i^5YY0^LY. touches the Sergeant's shoul- 
ders with his sword. 

Rise, Sir William Regnault. 
Sir Knight, here is my sword. 

{Giving it. 

Come, now away. 

sergeant. 
Guard him and treat him well : his worth's a fortune. 
\Exit Suffolk with the two soldiers. 

Enter another French Sergeant. 

sergeant. 
What, William, you at rest this busy day ? 

SIR WILLIAM. 

Be you familiar with your equals. Sir. 

A 

SERGEANT. 

Holloa ! What's this ? 



I 



Scene II.] THE MAID 'OF ORLEANS, 



SIR WILLIAM. 

You're speaking to a Knight. 



SERGEANT. 

How ? She has dubbed you ? 



SIR WILLIAM. 

No : Lord Suffolk. 

SERGEANT. 

What.? 



SIR WILLIAM. 

See here, his sword. 



SERGEANT. 

The hilt glistens with diamonds. 

SIR WILLIAM. 



ril tell you more anon. Now to the field, 
To win a second time my spurs. 



SERGEANT. 

By Jove, 



You're in luck, Bill. 
6 



82 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act IV. 

SIR WILLIAM. 

Sir William. 

SERGEANT. 

Ah! Sir William. 
\Exeunt, 

Enter a French Soldier with a prisoner, 

SOLDIER. 

Laggard, you make believe you're wounded, do you ? 
\Strikes him to the ground with his sword. 

Enter the Maid. 

MAID. 

Dastard ! it cannot be that thou art French. 
Strike a poor, wounded, unarmed prisoner ! 
Back to the ranks, and strike there armed men. 

\Exit Soldier. She goes to the prisoner and kneels beside 

him tenderly. 
He has not life enough to rise, poor wretch. 
Within the cores of men demons lie coiled, 
Which war's hot fury heats to hellish blaze. 



Scene II.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 83 

Enter Talbot. 

TALBOT. 

Whoe'er thou art, yield thee : I am the Talbot. 

MAID. 

Yield thee : I am the Maid. 

\Raise5 her vizor, 

TALBOT. 

Ha ! art thou she ? 
But no : Talbot fights not with women. Yet, 
To let escape thou art too great a captive. 
Come on ! I will disarm, not slay or wound thee. 

\They fight: after a few passes Talbot's sword is struck 

from his hand. 

What strength unearthly nerves thy arm ? 

MAID. 

God's strength, 
The strength of right, which angels favor now. 

TALBOT {half aside). 
By Heaven, her port and look are high and modest. 

MAID. 

The famed Lord Talbot is a nobleman 




84 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act IV. 

By nature as by name. Through fellow-feeling 
Can he not know there floods another's breast 
The current too of truth and nobleness. 



Enter in haste the Maid's Herald, Guyenne. 

GUYENNE. 

The foe is full in flight, ours in pursuit. 
Suffolk is taken, and great Talbot slain. 



Here is Lord Talbot : him, Guyenne, I trust 
To your especial 'tendance and respect. 
Enguard him well, but treat him like a king. • 

\Exit Talbot with Guyenne, Talbot bowing to her with 

surprise a^td admiration. 

Onward, onward ; still onward to the goal. 

Again the sight's as full of ghastly death 

As were at dawn these ripening fields with hope. 

Which angry hosts have trampled into slime. 

And all this slaughter for the good of France ! 

Is death the way to life, the legal way ? 

Daily from his vast charnel-house, the earth, 

Life rises up in smiling resurrection, 

As from the longest, blackest night the sun, 

To renovate the world with loveliness. 



f 



Scene II.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 85 

A resurrection and a redecease — 

This is th' eternal, deep creative round. 

And as acts steep them in the soul of good 

And clean ascension, so their sure revival 

Is quick with beauty and with power's cheer. 

No planted seeds rise with such bettered sap 

As aspiration. Thus through death we grow 

Up being's heights. The truer is the life 

That sinks in death, the livelier is its leap 

Upon the scale- I have not long to live. 

Athwart the mist death looms more clear and clear. 

But wherefore stain my mind with thoughts of me 1 

My souFs fidelity into itself, — 

Hold sacred that, and with it, faith in good. 

And I shall never lack Heaven's help and smile. 

[Exit. 



86 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act IV. 



SCENE III. 

Domremy. In front of the cottage of Jacques d'ArCy 
father of the Maid. 

Enter from the cottage her Father and Mother. 



4 

I 



This is but talk and rumor ; not a soul do we know 
of who has spoken with or seen her. 



But the rumors are all one way, and for some time 
past they come thicker and less like rumors. 

Enter an old Soldier. 

SOLDIER. 

Are you Jacques d'Arc ? 

FATHER. 

Aye, I am he. 

SOLDIER. 

The father of Joan of Arc ? 

MOTHER. 

That's our daughter : what know you of her ? 



f 



Scene III.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 87 

SOLDIER. 

Know of her ! Was I not with her at Orleans ? 



Then it is all true about Orleans ? 

SOLDIER. 

All true ? Have not you heard ? How she entered 
Orleans with new levies ; how she took fort after fort \ 
how the English gave up the siege and fled. 

MOTHER (falling on her husband's neck)- 

Our dear, dear Joan ! 

SOLDIER. 

At the last sortie I was close behind her, until I was 
knocked down. As she came back, after the victory, 
she got off her horse and helped me up : I was only 
bruised. I kissed her gauntleted hand. She said I 
had done enough, was getting old ; asked me about 
my family, told me to come to her the next day, and 
she would give me my discharge. When I went, she 
gave me money too. They say she hears voices of 
angels: I believe it, for she's an angel herself. 

MOTHER. 

O my sweet child ! 



88 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act IV. 

SOLDIER. 

I left Orleans the next day, the day she started for 
the King. I'm glad I've seen you : I came out of my 
way to see the father and mother of the great Captain. 

FATHER. 

The great Captain? 

SOLDIER. 

Aye, the Captain of them all. Farewell. 

\Going 

FATHER. 

Tarry with us to-day. 

MOTHER. 

Rest here till to-morrow. 

SOLDIER.^ 

Thanks, thanks : but I must get home to-night. From 

wife 
A-nd children I've been away more than two years. 

Farewell. 

MOTHER and FATHER. 

Farewell ! Farewell. 

{Exit. 
FATHER. 

Wonderful ! He talks like a man of truth. 



i 



Scene III.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 89 

MOTHER.' 

1*11 answer for him. But where is son Pierre, who 
would go with her. Why does not he come back? 

Enter Pierre. 

MOTHER and FATHER. 



Pierre ! 



\He throws himself into their arms. 



MOTHER. « 

And Joan, how is she ? where is she t 

PIERRE. 

Joan is well, and more than well. Dear father, your 
daughter is greater than the King: she's a mighty 
power in France for good. 'Tis all so strange and 
sudden, I hardly seem to know it, though IVe seen it. 

MOTHER. 

Where is she now ? 

PIERRE. 

I left her an hour after the battle of Patay, the 
greatest of the many she has won. " Pierre," she said, 
" as swiftly as your horse will carry you, ride to Dom- 
remy." Then she threw her arnts round my neck and 



1 



90 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act IV. 

kissed me passionately: "Carry these kisses to my 
dear father and mother.'^ Here they are: {He em- 
braces them both.) And then she wept sweet tears. 
Dear mother, father, I cannot tell you what she is. 
She has outgrown me so, I scarcely know her for my 
sister. "Tell them," she said, " I cannot go to them, 
but you bring them to Rheims." When I came away 
— as if she yearned to go whither I was going — she 
held my hand long in hers, her hand which an hour 
before had taken great Talbot prisoner. 

MOTHER. 

The terrible Talbot ? 

PIERRE. 

Aye, and Suffolk too was taken, and many more ; all 
that were not captured fled swift away, pursued by La 
Hire and Armagnac, and other of our high chiefs. 
But she is chief of the chiefs. 

FATHER. 

I cannot get it all in at once. But I don't like 
women taking such lead. 

PIERRE. 

'Women will take the lead at times : it seems to be 
God's will. Queen Isabel, mother of the King, she 



Scene IV.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 9 1 

took the lead to ruin France ; and but for another 
woman's taking a higher lead, she would have ruined 
France. 

FATHER. 

What other woman ? 



Your daughter Joan. She's the Savior of France. 
Let us go in : I need to rest. 

[Exeunt into the cottage. 



SCENE IV. 

The French camp before Troyes, 

Council of War : the King, the Archbishop of Rheims, Alen- 
CON, DuNois, Gaucourt, Coaraze. 

KING. 

Another week before this stubborn town 
Would wear our army out. 

ARCHBISHOP. 

We're not outworn 
Already, sulking in low laxity. 



92 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act IV.j 

KING. 

Is your Maid mending, .Alengon ? 

ALENfON. 

',My Liege, 
You lift me to new rank, calling her mine. 
Happy I am to say, she's convalescent. 

ARCHBISHOP. ; .. 

I did not know that angels could be sick. 

ALENCON. 

IVe known a bishop ill, aye, very ill, 
And of a foul disease. 

DUNOIS. 

Your Majesty, 
Send for the M%id : hear her. 

KING. 

-5 'Tis well bethought. 

Dunois, yourself go fetch her. 

[Exit D UNO IS. 

GAUCOURT. 

What can she, 
My Liege, do 'gainst these walls ? 



Scene IV.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS, 93 

ALENCON. 

What she has done 
'Gainst stouter Walls than these, 'gainstgates of Orleans, 
Held bolted in her face by Count Gaucourt — 

GAUCOURT. 

My men broke from me and would not obey. 

ALENCON. 

Nor will they now obey any but her. 
Are memories so short ? Tis not three months 
Since France was wasted, sunk ; defeat our habit \ 
When from our furthest eastern bound there stole 
A rumor of this Maid, fleeing before. 
Like scented dawn preluding to the light ; 
And then herself appeared, warming all hearts. 
Then quicl? was raised the siege of hopeless Orleans. 

CO A RAZE. 

Who helpt her, save we Captains with our cohorts ? 

ALENCON. 

Caesar himself could not have conquered Gaul 
Without his legions ; but, into each man 
He put some of the life of Caesar's soul. 
It doth amaze and irk me every day, 



■ 



94 ^-^^ MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act IV. 

To see men have so little heart for greatness, 

To see them unillumined by a present splendor ; 

But rather with their littleness they strive 

To throw eclipse upon the might that lights them, 

Like creature moon upon creative sun. 

Must I recall what this rare Maid achieved ? 

Have all of you lost vision of that flag 

Whose vaward gleam shone like a dove, from Heav'n 

New lighted, prophesying victory, 

While wonders grew about her as she wrought. 

Suffolk held forted Jargau in her path : 

She carried it by sudden bold assault ; 

Then strong Beaugency stormed ; and with Patay 

She quitted them for shameful Agincourt. 

But here she comes : the sight of her again 

Refills my soul with joyfulness and hope. 

. Enter the Maid in light armory and DuNOis. 

KING. 

Dear Maid, most glad I am to see the sun 
Glisten once more upon your healthy cheek. 
Pains that rack you are envious of us all. 
This rebel town hath held us here a week. 
Much longer than we hoped;' and yet, they say, 
'Twill need another week to compass it. 



Scene IV.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 95 

MAID. 

My Liege, there needeth not the half a day. 

ARCHBISHOP. 

What fresh presumptuous arrogance is this? 

MAID. 

Presumptuous priest, who in thy darkened soul 
Harbor'st nor faith nor honesty — 

KING. 

Dear Maid, 
Bethink thee, he^s the reverend Lord Archbishop. 



Great King, my prompters, counselors, and guides, 
They know no lords on earth, but only souls. 
Nor lords, nor magistrates, nor kings, nor priests. 
But only who is false and who is true. 
This false priest is a traitor too. 

ARCHBISHOP. 

How dar'st thou. 
And in this presence, give thy ribald tongue 
Such license of untruth. 



96 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act IV. 

MAID. 

Before the King, 
And all this company, I will proclaim 
Thy treason, if thou dost not come at once 
And hear me whisper to you what I know. 

\The Archbishop approaches her in evident alarm, 

ARCHBISHOP. 

What can you know ? ^ 

\After she has whispered in his ear, he starts^ then sneaks 

away, 

DUNOIS. 

Like a whipt spaniel, see, 
Th' Archbishop sneaks away. 



Your Majesty, 
Shall we go summon this rebellious town ? 

\As she walks towards the back of the stage, the scenes open, 
and show the walls of Troyes, with citizens on them. 
Good citizens of Troyes, you are at heart. 
As in your speech, true Frenchmen. Here's your king, 
Your rightful, lawful, far-descended King. 
He comes in power, and in mercy too. 
To claim his own, which is, Frenchmen's allegiance. 
He offers you full pardon for yourselves. 



Scene IV.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 97 

Honorable exit for the garrison. 
You see our force of thousands^ prompt to bridge 
The fosse and scale your walls. Spare us the need. 
Open your gates to brothers, not to foes. 

A CITIZEN. 

We do accept the King's most generous terms. 
We will unbar the gates and welcome him. 

\Exeunt citizens from the walls. 



Most gracious King, let us now on again. 
Rheims waits for us, and France for regal Rheims. 
When you from Rheims shall march, rebellious towns 
Will ope their gates and shout triumphant welcomes 
To the crowned Majesty of rescued France. 
[ The curtain drops ^ 



ACT V. 

SCENE I. 

Rheims, Infro?tt of the CathedraL 
Enter two Gentlemen^ meeting, 

FIRST GENTLEMAN. 

Too late you are to see the spectacle. 

SECOND GENTLEMAN. 

I feared so. 

FIRST GENTLEMAN. 

Coronation like to this 
Was never, nor will ever be, beheld. 

SECOND GENTLEMAN. 

So many bishops in their gorgeousness ? 

FIRST GENTLEMAN. 

The mitres I'd no time to count or think of, 
My eyes, all eyes, so clung, with ravishment, 
To the great personage. 



Scene I.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS, , 99 

SECOND GENTLEMAN. 

And I too late 
To see him ! How was he attired ? 

V 

FIRST GENTLEMAN. 

The King? 
I hardly saw him. 

SECOND GENTLEMAN. ♦ 

What ! not see the King ? 

FIRST GENTLEMAN. 

The King, sir, was a puppet in that scene ; 

And such a scene ! where senses, feeling, thought, 

Each had a fresh extravagant delight. 

And she, a peasant girl from cottage hearth, 

Creator of it all ! By regnant power 

Of soul, with master's intellect colleagued, 

France she has rescued ; crovv^ned, installed the King, 

Into the people national life rebreathed. 

As, high in martial panoply, she stood 

Beside the King, the many thousands there. 

That stretched the church with panting populousness, 

O'erjoyed its vasty spaces with their wonder. 

All bosoms heaving gratitudes to her. 

All eyelids glistening with acknowledgment. 



100 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act V. 

SECOND GENTLEMAN. 

Where is she now ? 

FIRST GENTLEMAN 

Still in the church. I stayed 
But half an hour : I cared not witnessing 
The pomps of sacerdotal conjuration. 
They're coming out : stand we aside to see them. 

The church door opens ; then through it enter the King, the Maid, 
Alencon, Vendome, Dunois, the Father ^ Mother^ Brother, 
a7td Squire of the Maid ; the Squire bearing her banner ; peo- 
ple following, 

MAID {falling on her knees). 

Most gracious King, I pray your Majesty, — 
Th' anointed, ripened Majesty of France, — 
Let now thy servant go, go to my home : 
My task is done. 

KING. 

Arise, great Maid of Orleans : 

\Lifting her up. 
The foremost subject of my grateful realm. 
By nature noblest 'mong the noble, thee 
I only can exalt in outward name, 
To mate thy inwardness, installing thee 



f^ Scene I.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS, lOI 

In the first class of French nobility, 
f Thee and thy kin, which solemnly I do. 
And here proclaim. And for escutcheon, thus : 
In field of azure, sword with hilt of gold, 
Blade argent, lifting on its point the crown : 
Two fleurs-de-lis in pale. Dunois, thy sword : 
Nay, here's a fitter one : thine, noble Maid. 
Pierre d'Arc, kneel down. Rise, Sir Pierre. Alengon, 
Note this : henceforth, the parish Domremy, 
As birthplace of the Maid of Orleans, is 
Exempt from tax for aye. 

[The yiKiTf falls on her Mother's neck. 

And, furthermore, 
'Tis ordered, that from the King's treasury, 
Unto her parents annually be paid 
Two hundred crowns, the payment to begin 
The day the siege was raised of Orleans. 
For thee, dear Maid, not yet is done thy task ; 
Nor will it be, so long as this our soil 
Is bruised by hoof e'en of one English trooper. 

• Illustrious as hath been thy warrior-work, 
'Tis but begun. The King has yet to win 
His kingdom. Foes still swarm upon his land. 
'Twere to desert us, did you quit us now. 

\ Thou art our inspiration, and all need 

Thy breath and presence for their constancy. 




102 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act V. 

We could not miss above our heads that flag, 

Whose shimmer reddened Frenchmen's blood, and 

sped it 
With triple speed through every lifted arm. 
But, come to me anon, and we'll talk further. 

[Exeunt the King, Alencon, Vendome, Dunois. 



'Twas then a dream, — a dream how sweet and sunny 1 
I never can be shepherdess again : 
I'm not mine own. More blood, more sieges, battles. 
They give me hints of something great, but fearful. 
That's soon to be. Ah me ! Grant me more strength. 

\I,ooki7ig up. 

Come, father, mother, let us go and weep. 

\Exeunty followed by the people , none of whom had gone 

with the King. 

FIRST GENTLEMAN. 

{He follows her across the stage with hands uplifted.) . 
With what rebounding ease she moves and mounts. 
The high should be on high, the low below ; 
Else action's wheels strain sighing in a slough. 
And keep no pace with life's loved promptitudes. 
This present joyousness of sweet success 
Is solely due to quick conformity 
With reclamations of th' impending Will, 



CEN£ IL] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. IO3 

Against whose benison our daily fret 

Leeps us forever bruised and dislocated. 
'In France's sour, self-wrought extremity, 
God hath unkinged a fruitless man-made King, 
And set above him this great woman-King, 
Blest with the gifts and secrets of command. 
She comes a heavenly apparition, lapped 
In human forces and appliances. 
Ever above infinitude's horizon 

Fresh truths are looming, freighted with new light, — 
For those whose eyes and wishes see them shine. 
This is one of the brightest. Shall we go 
And bathe us deeper in its bracing beams ? 

[Exeunt. 



SCENE II. 
A room in the Royal Residence at Rheims. 

KING (alone). 

What swelling tenderness enraptures me ! 

This can but be the sudden burst to flame 

Of passion stored unconsciously away. 

And yet it seemed fall flashed in that one moment. 

Her upward look of maiden holiness 




104 ^-^^ MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act V 

Shot into me a life, so absolute 

I felt no other feeling, had no thought. 

Nor even knew when the won crown enringed me. 

A partnership so close there is among 

The fiery constituents of our being, 

Each kindles each; and* sometimes all on one 

Throw the united pulsings of the soul. 

That but by this one is the man inflamed ; 

As I am now, and with a deepening thrill 

I never knew before. A triumph this 

She surely looked not for. Ha ! here she is. 

Enter the Maid. 

MAID. 

My Liege, I come because you summoned me. 
Is there a hope for me ? 



As for us all. 
We all must to the war again ; and thou 
The foremost : this brave war is thine. 'Tis thou 
Hast made it what it is. Should I just now. 
Should all the Captains, throw our harness off, • 
What wouldst thou think ? And thou art worth us all, 
The shepherd thou of bold, victorious flocks. 



! 



Scene II.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. IO5 

Be not downcast. Who is so blest as thou ? 

Think with what thanks, joy, admiration, France 
^And France's King inclose thee in their hearts. 
■What still I'd do for thee thou canst not know. 

H MAID. ' 

My Liege, for what you've done for all my kin 

I thank your Majesty. It is enough : 

I wish naught more for them or for myself. 

KING. 

Thy modesty may be content with- little j 

But not so France. She'd have thee placed where she, 

Upgazing, can with every morn rethank thee, 

A visible sign to all of Christendom 

Of her. great gratitude. First, then, a title. 

MAID. 

My gracious King, titles are not for me. 

KING. 

Who more deserves a regal title ? And, 
There's one would like to give thee such, — the highest. 
Let me see : Orleans — that's already claimed. 
Patay : that's it : the Duchess of Patay. 



I06 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act V. 

MAID. 

The Maid of Orleans^ that's the title, Sire, 
YouVe given me, and by that I would abide. 

KING, 

Thou art too good, too great, too beautiful. 
And still so innocent thou know'st it not. 
But thou must let thy King give thee, dear Maid, 
Warm tokens of his gratitude, — his love. 

[He puts his arm round her waist. 

MAID [starting away from him). 

Avaunt! Is this the shape the tempter takes? 

Com'st thou all hot from hell ? Back to thy home ! 

My soul is free, and stout for self-protection. 

I would unflesh me, and, bare skeleton. 

Stalk hideous through the world, rather than be 

A rounded thing to whet the lusts of men. 

O woman, woman ! how art thou beset ! 

Thy very tenderness is a decoy 

To snare thee. With thy soul's mobility, 

Thy pity and thy melting lovingness. 

They lime the twig to lock thy free-born feet, 

Using thy trustfulness to cheat thy heart j 

Then loosen thee, a slave to thy low self, • 

Deplumed, sad, lonely, withered, void, unsexed. 



Scene II.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 10/ • 

God ! I shudder at the wantonness 
Which strews the earth with outcasts beautiful ! 

KING. 

Unwittingly I have affrighted thee. 

Maiden imagination so hath wrought, 

Thou seest black harms where smiling good was meant 

MAID. 

1 cannot blacken them, so deep are they 

With rot ingrained. I would, Sire, take my leave. 

\Going. 

KING. 

Nay, pause : thou must not part in this false mood. 



\Going, 



MAID. 

I pray your Majesty : I cannot stay. 

KING. 

Your sovereign master then commands you stay. 



The King commands the subject, not the woman. 
I am myself sole master of myself 

\Exit. 



lOS THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act V. 



SCENE III. 
The English Camp i7i Normandy, 



1 



The Duke of Bedford, Lords Talbot and Suffolk, and Sir 
Henry Clifford. 

BEDFORD. 

Compiegne not yet submitted ? 

TALBOT. 

Nor, your Highness, 
Like to be. She has fought her way into it. 

BEDFORD. 

Ha ! Curses on her ? How she baffles us ! 
What is our lavish sinfulness, that we 
So deluged are with chastisement ? Who's here ? 
Enter a Knight in haste, booted, with whip in hand. 
There lightens from thy face a good report. 



My lord, His rumored that the Maid is taken. 

\Stir and exclamations 

BEDFORD. 

Only a rumor? 



Scene III.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS, IO9 

KNIGHT. 

Yesterday, in Paris, 
At noon, it gorged all hearts with jubilee. 
I mounted quick, and rode all "night to bring it 
Unto your Highness. But the shorter way 
Through Beauvais lies from sieged Compiegne. From 

thence 
Has nothing come ? 

Enter in haste from the other side another Courier-knight. 

SECOND KNIGHT. 

She's taken, she's taken ! These eyes 
Saw her a'prisoner, yesterday. Your Highness, 
Here's a dispatch from John of Luxembourg, 
Count de Ligny, whose captive she now is. 
In a bold sortie from Compiegne, her corps 
Was crushed, and she by a Picard archer seized. 

\As the Knight and the others carry on a lively talk^ the 
Duke of Bedford walks aside 



'Tis much too big for instant measurement. 
This new event. And now to make the most 
Of such high-foaming fortune. Let me see. 
Ligny will hold her at a royal ransom. 



no. THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act V.- 

As kings now go, she's worth a score of kings. 

The consecration at historic Rheims 

Was equal to an army for the French. 

Transformed it must be into desecration \ 

And that through proving her a sorceress. 

She had Charles crowned. Prove her the Devil's tool, . 

And he's uncrowned in public sentiment. 

The general feeling is a mighty power. 

The Church must be our instrument to damn her. 

We've often been her tool : now she'll be ours. 

This interchange of help twixt Church and State 

Strengthens, for priest and king, despotic sway. 

The Church once vouched for her. But what of that ? 

For a proportioned end she'll eat her words 

As glib and heartily as e'er the wafer. 

At once about it. Gentlemen, to-day 

Than yesterday we're stronger by a force 

Equal to fifty thousand men. Come then, 

Let's fall at once upon the hamstrung foe. 

\Exeunt all but Clifford. 

CLIFFORD. 

I am ashamed to feel the joy I do. 

That Englishmen should shout and throw up caps, 

Because a woman is a prisoner ! 

A woman, aye, but with more than the strength 



Scene IV.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 1 1 1 

Of tens of thousands of the strongest men. 
There's something here not to be fathomed yet. 
By indirections, tools most seeming slight, 
Supremest will oft compasses great ends. 

\Exit. 



SCENE IV. 

Castle of Duke of Ligny in Picardy. 

THE MAID (reclining at first on a sofa). 

Time leaps along, and drops or picks us up, 

As we had no more worth or dignity 

Than particles of dust upon his feet. * 

But bits of dust are something to themselves 

And neighbors : each has life, proportion, and 

Dependencies \ and so have I, and warmth, 

Earth-warmth that hath instinctive shuddering dread 

Of being cooled and quenched all suddenly. 

My yearning loves reach out for earth's warm children. 

I find fresh mothers, sisters, everywhere, 

Who would be loved and clung to, not quick snatched 

From out my twining arms. In these few weeks 

This gentle, tender, heavenly Countess Ligny 



112 



THE MAID 01 



7EANS. 



KOT 



And her dear daughter have so planted them 
Deep in my heart, 'twill be an agony 
To part me from them. 

Enter the Countess of Ltgny. The Maid tkrcnvs herself weep- 
ing into her arms. 

COUNTESS. 

Stiir there is some hope. 



No, no : it must be as it is : it must. 



COUNTESS. 

The Count will let the French King ransom thee. 



He dares not, cannot : they are here too strong. 
Enter the Daughter of the Countess. 

DAUGHTER. 

Mother, a troop of horse are coming hither. 
They're still so far, I cannot make them out. 



MAID. 



They come for me. 




Scene IV.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 113 

COUNTESS. 

They shall not take thee. Oh, 
My husband would not be so cruel. 



No: 
Not cruel, no : his hard necessity. 
How I shall miss my jailors. Prisoner 
Never had such, nor chains so tightly claspt, — 
Your heart-strings interlinked with mine. But now . 
My strong deliverers are at hand. 

\A bugle heard. 
Ha! There! 
[ Clasps her head with her hands. 

COUNTESS. 

I know the sound : 'tis but my husband's bugle. 

MAID. 

'Tis my death-knell ! 

COUNTESS (embracing her) . 

They shall not, shall not take thee. 

MAin. 
They will, and must, and should. You cannot strike — 



114 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act V. 

And such a stroke — and not be struck again. 

Think what a blow to Engftsh pride. France I have 

freed : 
Aye, freed dear France. So young, and yet so blest ! 
So greatly chosen, I must greatly bear. 

Enter a Knight, atte7ided by several troopers. 



KNIGHT. 

Madame, I bear a letter from the Count. 



{Gives a letter. 



COUNTESS {/eads the letter). 
Too true, too true ! Oh ! cruel, cruel ! Oh ! 

MAID. 

• 

Weep not for me. When this our hasty work 
On earth is done, dear lady, we shall meet 
In the loved homes of heaven. And thou, sweet child, 
When thy grand-children, in the far-off time, 
Shall gather round thy chair, to hear thee speak 
Of this sad day, they'll thank and love thee more, 
That thou wast tender to the Maid of Orleans. 
That name I've earned, and with it earned my death. 
Aye, greatly earned it. So then, let it come. 
Farewell, farewell 1 We'll meet again. Forward. 

[ To the Knight. Extt. 



Scene V.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. I j 5 



SCENE V. 

Rou£n. A room in the Palace of the Duke of Bedford, 
The Duke of Bedford, Cardinal Winchester. 

BEDFORD. 

Lord Cardinal Winchester, the case stands thus. 
She's doomed to death by great necessities ; 
And yet, a prisoner of war, I dare not 
Take openly her life. The Church must lend 
Fair countenance and fine machinery. 

cardinal. 
Your Highness is like many lesser sinners, 
Who in their flaunting moods scoff at the Church, 
And in extremity entreat her help. 

BEDFORD. 

Your Eminence has reached so high a peak 

Of holy altitude, all things below, 

Like choughs to towering eagle in his sweep, 

Are subaltern to one so close to heaven ; 

And thence the life of petty, puny earthling 

Hath not a scruple's weight — if the Church needs it 



1 1 6 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act V. 

CARDINAL. 

Your Highness speaks deeper than you do know. 

Any, the richest, highest life is naught. 

Weighed 'gainst the weal of holy Church. This life 

You seek so hungrily, doubly to me 

Is hateful, as I'm Roman and am English. 

The fine machinery is ready mounted. 

The University — tutored by me — 

Will damn her devil's imp, with strongest say. 

The grand Inquisitor sends deputy. 

One of the two who will preside. The other, 

Cauchon, — a man so fit for such a lead, 

Nor coldest earth nor hottest hell could hatch 

A second, him to mate. A man of hates, 

Among them holy hates. Your Highpess knows 

What holy hates can be ? 

BEDFORD. 

It turns me pale 
To think of them : I've felt them. He's a Bishop } 

CARDINAL. 

Bishop of Beauvais : would be more. Perhaps. 
These two preside : myself I guide the trial. 
Scores of Assessors there must be. I've taught 
Cauchon how to appoint them. Is not this 
Prompt, promising ? 



r 



Scene V.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 11/ 

BEDFORD. 

Beyond my hope or thought. 
To work the wheels of worldly management 
Give me a topmost churchman. 

CARDINAL. 

Little else . 
Have we to do : our guidance heavenward 
Is done by rote, through men's wide trustfulness. 
We then are one : she dies. 

BEDFORD. "* 

A speedy death. 

CARDINAL. . 

A speedy, and by fire. 

\Exeiint. 




THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 



[Act V. 



SCENE VI. 

Rouen. The MaitTs prison. The Maid i?i chains^ 
lying 071 the floor. 

Enter brother Isambart, an Augustine Friar, in costume, 

ISAMBART. 

She sleeps. Sleep on : snatch yet some bliss on earth 
In thy clean paradise of lustrous dreams. * 
These with their mystic, quick, disheveled light. 
Now lighten thee through battle's exultations 
To thy far, lowly, holy infancy. 

Chained, martyred, doomed, there lies the greatest she 
Of history, — a goal, towards which, in distant times, 
Men's thoughts shall straining climb to compass her. 

\The MAiiy sk7'ieks 

What hast thou ? What wild pain so tortures thee ? 

MAID. 

Oh, the deep agony, to be awaked 

From heaven, and brought back to this hell ! Oh ! Oh ! 

ISAMBART. 

Dear Maid, what fiercest hell can do thee hurt ? 



^ 



Scene VI.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 1 19 

Thou art an angel ? This flesh that yet doth cling 
About thy soul — 

MAID [looking up). 

See there — they nod and smile, 
As they avouched thee. Brighter still ! Such smiles ! 
You promised me deliverance. O Heaven ! 
What ecstasy of look ! They beckon me — 
And now they fade, they mount, smiling and beckoning. 

{She falls proslrate, 

ISAMBART. 

Rise, rise : This beckoning is Heaven's call to thee. 

\She rises to her knees. 

Thy path is up, straight up to them. This is 
The swift deliverance promised. 

MAID. 

Hark! their song ! 
It thrills me, lifts me, such a life there's in it I 
I come, I come. 

ISAMBART. 

Aye, lifted thou wilt be 
To higher, livelier life. What is earth's death? 
Death's a foul name given to the lift supreme : 
Its worst, a momentary pang of birth. 



I20 THE MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act V. 

Enter two Priests, 

FIRST PRIE.ST. 

The High Court Ecclesiastical summons to its pres- 
ence Joan of Arc, called the Maid. We come to attend 
thee. I will free thy limbs. 

[Removes the chains, 

ISAMBART. 

Father Vincent, give her yet a few moments. 

FIRST PRIEST 

They must be few, good brother Isambart. 

[Priests withdraw, 
^ MAID. 

Dear brother Isambart, 'tis they {pointing up) have 

sent thee 
To be my comforter. 

JSAMBART. 

Thy comforter .^ 
Oh, blessed lot ! that I can give some solace 
To her whose being hath been a fervent flow 
Of sanatory balm to million souls ; 
In whose great life there are such deeps, such dower, 



r 



Scene VI.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 121 

Her lofty death will make sound hearts beat purer 
Through the long lives of untold centuries. 



Good brother Isambart, thou art a priest 
The like of whom IVe never known till now. 
Were more as thou art, oh, the world were better. 

ISAMBART. 

Think not too well of me. When I'm near thee 

I'm brightened, straightened, cleansed. Oh, I could 

mount 
Upon the sacred pile, and with thee 'dare 
Thy baffled enemies, and rally thee 
To pardon thy inhuman torturers. 



Come, let us go : thou'st made me strong. I'll beard 
The tigers in their very den. 

ISAMBART. 

Think not 
Too harshly of them. They're what they must be. 

MAID. 

They cannot harm mer 



122 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act V. 

ISAMBART. 

Harm thee ! Their worst hates, 

Angers, revenges, are no more to thee 

Than blackness of the transitory storm 

Is to th' eternal sun's resplendency. 

[Exeunt. 



SCENE VII. 
Rouen, Chamber of the Ecclesiastical Court, 

A long table: in the centre sit Cauchon, Bishop of Beauvais, 
with mitre on, and the ViCAR of the Inquisitor, as chief 
judges ; on cither side of them ten or twelve Assessors. On one 
sidcy away from the table^ Bedford and Winchester are seated 
together. 

BEAUVAIS. 

More wary we must be in questioning. 
By sudden subtleties she yesterday 
Outwitted our devices, and escaped. 

WINCHESTER. 

Let gentlemen keep ever before their minds 
The function of this Court, its purpose, end ; 
Which is, not to find innocent, but guilty. 



Scene VII.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS, 12^ 



AN ASSESSOR. 

If that's its end I cannot be a member. 



ANOTHER ASSESSOR. 

Nor I. 



[Rises, 



[Rises. 



beauVais. 



Begone : make room for better men. 

[Exeunt the two Assessors. 
WINCHESTER. 

Tis well you're purged of these two hypocrites. 
E7tter a Priest. 

PRIEST. 

The prisoner's at the door. 

BEAUVAIS. 

Let her come in. 
Enter the Maid, Isambart follozving her. 
Joan^ are you in a better mood to-day ? 



124 '^^^ MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act V. 

MAID. 

What mood should l)e a woman in, alone, 
Allowed no counsel, badgered by a Court 
Packed for a predetermined doom of death ? 

WINCHESTER (rises in great excitement to BEAUVAis). 

Rather than hear such contumacious speech 

From this foul throat, tear out her tongue accursed. 

• MAID (to WINCHESTER). 

Thy whetted tool is yet not sharp enough. 
Thyself, Lord Cardinal, the peer of kings, 
Hidden within thy soul's dark depths, hast thou 
No single ray of light, to beam and grow 
And save thee from thy terrible self-doom ? 
There's not a man on eafth who is pure devil ; 
For thou, yes thou, must die ; and devils die not. 

WINCHESTER. 

Away ! Til hear no more : I'll hear no more. 

\Rushes out. Commotion and whispering among the members 

of the Court, 

ISAMBART (aside) 

How she upswings me high above myself ! 

I shame me for my brother priests. Her words 



Scene VII.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS, 1 25 

Strike through them like the flint's compulsive flash 
Through powder, bursting their cold wrath in flame. 

AN ASSESSOR. 

Sometimes, — I say not always, ; — wast thou not. 
In weaker moments, prompted by the Evil One ? 

MAID. 

Power o'er me he never had : no, never. 
From my live body tear the flesh : pluck out 
The heart within me : I will say naught else. 
My counsel hath been ever from on high. 

ANOTHER ASSESSOR. 

This is not right : this is not right. A trial 
Conducted thus is null. 

BEAUVAis [m anger). 

Silence ! or go. 
And so you say {to the Maid) your voices were from 
heaven ? 



They were, they are ; for now I hear one, and 

It bids me say to thee : Bishop, beware ! 

Thou cairst thyself my judge: beware! beware! 



126 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act V. 

BEAUVAIS {terrified). 

Ha ! dost thou threaten me ? Dare'st thou, dare'st thou ? 

\He whispers to an Assessor to question her, 

AN ASSESSOR. 

St. Michael, was he naked when you saw him ? 

MAID. 

Think you God hath not wherewithal to clothe his 
own ? 

AN ASSESSOR. 

Believest thou, thou'rt in a state of grace? 

MAID. 

If I am not, I pray God make me so : 
And if I am, may I keep such blessed state. 
Wretched, most wretched, I should deem myself. 
If banished from the love and grace of God. 
Than that I'd rather die a hundred deaths. 

\The members of the Court look at one another in dismay* 
After a pause and whisperings Beauvais rises, 

BEAUVAIS. 

.The Court's adjourned : take her away. 

\Exit the Maid, accojnpanied by the two priests who brought 
her, and followed by ISAMBART. 



[ The scene closes. 1 



\ 



Scene VIII.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 12/ 

SCENE VIII. 

A Street in Rouen. 
Enter, meeting, the two Assessors who left the Court, 

FIRST ASSESSOR. 

Is it true, is it true ? 

SECOND ASSESSOR. 

Too true, too true. 

FIRST ASSESSOR. 

OGod! 

A woman, tender, young ! and innocent 
As is the morning star that fades to heaven. 

SECOND ASSESSOR. 

To heaven doth she ascend within an hour. 

FIRST ASSESSOR. 

At this unmanly, fiendish murder, Furies • 

Will scream for joy, and Death hold his hard sides 

At the rank bloody harvests herewith sown. 

Tis England's work, through Winchester and Bedford, 



128 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act V. 



I 



Backed by the jealous Church ; and they have used 
A Frenchman's tiger-paw to light this fire, 
To light with embers brought from deepest hell. 
But 'twill first singe and then consume themselves. 

SECOND ASSESSOR. 

What a death ! what a death ! 

FIRST ASSESSOR. 

Her grandeur makes 
Sublime that which her butchers would have mean. 
What a great death ! 'Twill lifi: this peasantess 
Even above th' heroic heights she reached 
As the one warrior-Maid. For Frafhce she fought, 
And by great fighting France she saved ; now dies, 
" Martyr for France, for justice, truth, and right \ 
A Bishop for her murderer, and judges 
For executioners ; by one great nation 
Abandoned, by another burnt alive. 
The nation she has saved cannot save her : 
That she has beaten can do naught but kill her." ^ 
For man her bright ascending figure looms 
A beacon and a blessing through all time. 

1 These six lines are a free translation of a passage in an oration 
delivered by M. Dupanloup, Bishop of Orleans, on the inaugura- 
tion of a Statue to the Maid at Orleans, May 8, 1856. 



Scene IX.] . THE MAID OF ORLEANS^ 1 29 

A dreadful but most sacred duty's left : 
To see her once again, as she shall pass 
To the djread place of immolation. Shall 
We go? 

SECOND ASSESSOR. 

Ready am I to go with you. 

{^Exeunt. 



SCENE IX. 

Public Square in Rouen, In the rear a pile prepared. 
Soldiers around it. On either side of t/iepile, elevated 
platforms ; on one are seated the Bishop of Beauvais^ 
the Inquisitor^ s Vicar^ and the Assessors^ on the other 
Cardinal Winchester and several Bishops ; Beauvais, 
Winchester, and the Bishops in robes and mitres ; 
below a motley crowd of p-eople. 

Enter the two Assessors. 
FIRST ASSESSOR. 

Oh what a spectacle ! Heaven surely hath 
Far aims, permitting such a deed as this. 
Look there : that's the bad ruthless Cardinal. 
To do their proper function, prelates should 
9 



I 7^0 THE MAID OF ORLEANS. [Act V. 

Have happier, holier thoughts than other men, 

Fresh pulses from th' eternal love creative : 

What thoughts are theirs who sit in highest place 

To judge and see an innocent maiden burnt ? 

In this black nook, — shifted to earth from hell, — 

Great Cardinal Winchester is ministering devil. 

Are heaven's sluices locked, that they ope not 

To shower, from streaming eyes of cherubim, 

A flood of tears, and drown this wickedness ? 

Oh, the blind arrogance of men, that they 

Would browbeat God. They snatch his mighty sceptre ; 

Then venture willfully to wield what is 

So laden with omnipotence, a turn, 

The slightest, from its flashing rectitude. 

Frights planets in their courses, and a wrench 

In human governance springs a rebound 

That fells the puny wielders to the earth. 

SECOND ASSESSOR. 

See there : she comes, she comes. 

FIRST ASSESSOR. 

A burst of light ! 
At such approach should not this darkness flee. 
Evanishing like gloom before the dawn ? 



Scene IX] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 131 

Enter the Maid ; on either side of h^r^ brothers Isambart and 
Martin ; soldiers follo^ving. 

Bishops sink out of sight : be seen no more ! 



MAID. 

O Rouen, Rouen ! must I die then here ? 

ISAMBART. 

No : thou shalt not : thou wilt not, can'st not die. 
There is no death. Thou art brought here to be 
Released from earth, in one strong moment's pang. 

MAID. 

Thou say's t aright : 'tis so : thou say'st aright. 

ISAMBART. 

The earth is dark, but heaven is alight 

With love, that angels may behold and cheer, 

Then greet and welcome thee. 

Enter hurriedly Oyseleur, and throws himself at her feet. 

OYSELEUR. 

Thou injured one ! 
P^orgive, forgive me, oh, forgive me, angel ! 
False, false, I've been to thee. Canst pardon me 
My perfidy, my base deceit ? 



132 



THE MAID OF ORLEANS, 



[Act VJ 



Rise up, 
False Oyseleur. Hast thou washed deep thy heart ' 
In warm repentance ? 

OYSELEUR. 

Oh, I have, I have. 

MAID. 

Then go in peace : God will forgive thee, too. 

\A Soldier seizes Oyseleur. 



Away, begone ! 



soldier. 



BEAUVAIS. 



yrhrusts Oyseleur out. 



Joan, it is not yet too late. 
Confess here, publicly, thy voices were 
From demons, and thou shalt not mount the pile. 



MAID. 



I cannot say what is not. I believe, — 
Nay, nay, I know my voices were from God. 
Angels hover incessant near to us, 
Peopling corporeal air with spiritual life. 



Scene IX.] THE MAID OF ORLEANS. 1 33 

Heaven enfolds the earth : from birth till death 

We're breathed on by the breath of viewless friends, 

Whose eyes caress us with benignant smiles. 

The world of spirits and the world of man 

Are one, held soul to soul by mutual links. 

Not one here, — no, not one, — but over him 

Hang angels, ready, at his cordial will, 

To aid him cleanse his soul. This the way 

Of the Almighty's prescient ministry. 

Now, Heavenly Father, give me strength. And ye. 

My brothers, help me with your prayers. 

\She ascends the pile ^ accompanied by brother Martin 

A VOICE [from the judges' platform). 
Executioner^ do your duty. 

[ The executioner ties her to the stake^ and then descends and 

lights the fire, 

MAID. 

Bishop of Beauvais, this day's work is thine. 
Thee I forgive : may God : man never will. 

[ The Bishop covers his face with his handsy in agony. The 
flame and smoke rise, brother Martin still on his knees 
beside her. 

MAID. 

Go down, go down, good brother. 

\He slowly descends. 



134 '^^^^ MAID OF ORLEANS, [Act V. 

FIRST ASSESSOR. 

How terrible, how damnable, but how 

Sublime is this dread sight. Think that you saw 

The risen sun quick quenched in howling darkness. 

MAID {behind the smoke y with piercing cry), 

Jesus ! Jesus ! 



An English Knight rushes from the crowds with hands uplifted, 

KNIGHT. 

WeVe lost, weVe lost ! Doomed, doomed ! WeVe 

burnt a saint ! 
We shall be driven out of France — driven out. 

\Above the smoke the Maid is seen to ascend^ stretching out 
her hands in attitude of blessing. Angels just over her. 

See there, see : for the death we give to her. 
She gives to us the life of her high blessing, 

[Falls 071 his knees. 
As she ascends to her great place in heaven. 

\pthcrs similarly touched ^ fall on their knees, some prostrate ^ 
exclaimingy — 

O God ! have mercy on us ! mercy, mercy ! 



J, * 

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